What Virginijus spoke about.

22

Oct

2025

EN Speech

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Ending all energy imports from Russia to the EU and closing loopholes through third countries (debate)

Mr President, dear colleagues, dear Commissioner, three years into Russia's war against Ukraine, Europe is still paying billions to Moscow. Every euro for Russian gas or oil fuels aggression against Ukraine and supports hybrid attacks against democracies here in the EU, and this must stop now. We in Parliament choose action over delay and we insist that oil from Russia must stop in 2026. Gas and L…

21

Oct

2025

EN Speech

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Stepping up funding for Ukraine’s reconstruction and defence: the use of Russian frozen assets (debate)

Madam President, Commissioner, colleagues, when we speak about Ukraine, we are not only speaking about a nation under attack. We are speaking about the very foundation of international law and human dignity. Every destroyed home, every child displaced, every mother grieving – they remind us that justice delayed can become justice denied. The aggressor must pay. Russian-state and oligarch‑linked as…

8

Oct

2025

EN Speech

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Europe’s automotive future – reversing the ban on the sale of combustion cars in the EU (topical debate)

Mr President, Commissioner, dear colleagues, nobody disputes the importance of the automotive industry, which directly and indirectly employs more than 13 million people – not only in Germany, France, Spain or Italy, but all across Europe. However, the worst would be if our automotive industry has a Nokia moment, where at some point it has almost 50 % of the market share and then it just diminishe…

8

Oct

2025

LT Speech

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United response to recent Russian violations of the EU Member States’ airspace and critical infrastructure (debate)

Dear Commissioner, Minister, dear colleagues. Every minute of our silence, every doubt is an open invitation to Russia, Putin to test our defence capabilities, to test our unity. And what's happening, those violations in the airspace, the drones invading, the fighter jets over Estonia - it's not a gust of wind, it's our systematic testing. Let's stop being naive. You can talk to anyone. You can al…

8

Oct

2025

EN Question

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United response to recent Russian violations of the EU Member States’ airspace and critical infrastructure (debate)

You spoke about diplomacy. So first it was the occupation of Crimea, then it was Luhansk and Donetsk. then Putin invaded the whole of Ukraine. Now he is flying drones over Copenhagen, Brussels, Poland. When is the end of that diplomacy? Trump rolled out the red carpet for him in Alaska. US troops on their knees were rolling out that carpet. Diplomacy doesn't work with Putin. When will you and your…

9

Sep

2025

EN Speech

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Ukraine (joint debate)

Madam President, High Representative, dear Commissioner, dear colleagues, Ukrainian cities are under the heaviest bombardment in months, and this just after the red carpet was rolled out to Putin in Alaska. Power stations, hospitals and homes are being hit night after night, and yet Ukraine still finds the strength to push forward with reforms from justice to decentralisation, because the Ukrainia…

9

Jul

2025

EN Speech

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EU-US trade negotiations (debate)

Mr President, dear Commissioner, dear colleagues, it is clear it's not just about the tariffs – it's about what kind of Europe we want to be. Right now, President Trump is simply trying to bully Europe. He says, 'Take this deal or pay the price'. And if we don't agree, of course, our exports could face huge tariffs. Up to now, it sounds like 200 % on pharmaceuticals, and that of course means jobs …

17

Jun

2025

EN Speech

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Two years since the devastating Tempi rail accident (debate)

Mr President, dear colleagues, let me first express my deepest condolences to the families of the victims, and remember those who lost their lives. This disaster is a clear reminder that safety on our railways must always come first. And we need to be transparent about what really went wrong and open about what is being done to fix it, to prevent it from happening in future. People deserve to know…

17

Jun

2025

EN Speech

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2023 and 2024 reports on Moldova (debate)

Mr President, dear colleagues, Moldova has clearly shown what determination looks like. In the shadow of war, under constant pressure from Russian disinformation, constant hybrid threats, it made a bold choice for democracy, for reforms, and most importantly, for European future. And today, Moldova launches accession talks with the EU; it's a move forward on justice reform, climate ambition – not …

16

Jun

2025

EN Speech

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The human cost of Russia’s war against Ukraine and the urgent need to end Russian aggression: the situation of illegally detained civilians and prisoners of war, and the continued bombing of civilians (debate)

Madam President, dear colleagues, every day Russia's war against Ukraine brings new pain. Civilians are killed in their homes, children lose their parents. Russian bombs hit schools, hospitals and energy plants. Cities are left in darkness and people continue to live in fear. And the suffering does not end at the frontline. Thousands of civilians and prisoners of war are held illegally by Russian …

21

May

2025

EN Speech

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Russian energy phase-out, Nord Stream and the EU's energy sovereignty (debate)

Mr President, dear colleagues, let me speak plainly: every single day that we delay the phase‑out of Russian energy we are wiring billions straight into the war chest of Putin's aggression against Ukraine. Now the Commission's plan is definitely a significant step in the right direction. But let's be clear: a step is not enough – not when the challenge demands a significant leap. The Nord Stream c…

7

May

2025

EN Speech

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EU support for a just, sustainable and comprehensive peace in Ukraine (debate)

Mr President, Minister, Commissioner, dear colleagues, three years ago the world watched as Ukraine stood alone against a storm of aggression, and today Ukraine stands not alone, but with the full force of European solidarity. The EU's support for a just, sustainable and comprehensive peace in Ukraine is not a slogan: it's a lifeline and a promise. The European Parliament has welcomed a proposed p…

6

May

2025

EN Speech

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A unified EU response to unjustified US trade measures and global trade opportunities for the EU (debate)

Mr President, dear Minister, dear Commissioner, dear colleagues, the recent US tariffs don't just hit our exports, they strike at the heart of what should be a fair and trusted partnership. Over EUR 500 billion-worth of EU goods could be affected. Behind that figure, there are real people – our workers, our businesses and the values that we stand for – and the only correct response is with unity, …

1

Apr

2025

EN Speech

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Safeguarding the access to democratic media, such as Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (debate)

Mr President, dear Commissioner, dear colleagues, in times of rising disinformation and geopolitical tensions, independent media is not just important, it is essential. Free and fearless journalism is one of the strongest foundations of a healthy democracy. It gives voice to the voiceless, holds power to account, and ensures that citizens have access to truth. That is why the recent situation face…

1

Apr

2025

EN Speech

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Conclusions of the European Council meeting of 20 March 2025 (debate)

Madam President, dear President of the Council, dear Commissioner, let me begin by welcoming the fact that 26 Member States have firmly reiterated their commitment to providing Ukraine with regular and predictable support. Our backing for Ukraine's independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognised borders remains steadfast. Let's not make a mistake. We do wa…

12

Mar

2025

EN Speech

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Accelerating the phase-out of Russian gas and other Russian energy commodities in the EU (debate)

Mr President, Commissioner, dear colleagues, it's unacceptable that despite some efforts since 2022, the EU continues to finance Russia's war of aggression in Ukraine through the purchases of Russian fossil fuels. And the stark reality is that some EU countries remain complicit in funding the very conflict we claim to oppose. Just today, this House adopted two important resolutions, supporting Ukr…

11

Mar

2025

EN Speech

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White paper on the future of European defence (debate)

Mr President, dear Commissioner, dear colleagues, the upcoming white paper on the future of European defence is a crucial step. But the expectation is that it's going to be finally more than just a paper. It must be a real catalyst for action. We cannot afford to continue business as usual. The security of our citizens and the integrity of our borders depend on our ability to act swiftly and decis…

11

Feb

2025

EN Speech

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US AI chip export restrictions: a challenge to European AI development and economic resilience (debate)

Madam President, dear colleagues, the EU cannot afford to fall behind in AI development. Imagine a world where AI-powered medical diagnostics can detect diseases years before symptoms appear, potentially saving millions of lives. And this is not science fiction, it's actually happening now. Yet with the recent US restriction on AI chip export, we risk losing access to the very tools needed to make…

11

Feb

2025

EN Speech

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Preparedness for a new trade era: multilateral cooperation or tariffs (debate)

Madam President, dear colleagues, the United States imposed tariffs on EU steel and aluminium. This action is not only unjustified, but it's also deeply concerning for the future of the transatlantic cooperation. Let me be clear: we do not desire this outcome. Imposing tariffs between allies is counterproductive and frankly absurd. Nevertheless, the EU has to respond firmly. Even so, trade wars we…

21

Jan

2025

EN Speech

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Need to detect and to counter sabotage by the Russian shadow fleet, damaging critical undersea infrastructure in the Baltic Sea (debate)

Mr President, dear colleagues, today we confront a critical issue at the core of the EU's commitment to Ukraine, global security and economic stability. The shadow fleet is fuelling Russia's oil trade and, of course, the Russian oil chest. While the recent oversight and monitoring efforts are commendable, they are sort of like painting over rust – a temporary fix that, at the end of the day, fails…

17

Dec

2024

EN Speech

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Russia’s disinformation and historical falsification to justify its war of aggression against Ukraine (debate)

Madam President, dear colleagues, the Kremlin is waging a war not only on Ukrainian soil, but also on the very fabric of reality itself. As a Lithuanian, I know what it means to stand on the front line of history. We endured Soviet occupation, where lies rewrote textbooks, dissent was silence and the truth was treated as a threat. We have seen how disinformation divides families, erodes trust and …

27

Nov

2024

EN Speech

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Critical infrastructure vulnerabilities and hybrid threats in the Baltic Sea (debate)

Madam President, dear colleagues, the recent incidents involving undersea communication cables in the Baltic Sea have raised alarm bells across Europe. The possibility of sabotage is now at the centre of discussions, which reflects the tense geopolitical climate that we are living in. The fact that two fibre optic cables were affected simultaneously has only fuelled suspicions. But one thing is cl…

26

Nov

2024

EN Speech

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Reinforcing EU’s unwavering support to Ukraine against Russia’s war of aggression and the increasing military cooperation between North Korea and Russia (debate)

Madam President, dear colleagues, first it was Crimea, then it was Luhansk and Donetsk, and now for three years, full‑scale invasion of Ukraine. And yet, we still have Putin proxies here calling to force Ukraine into ceasefire. Call Russia into ceasefire. Force Russian imperialism into ceasefire. Now, with Iran, North Korea supporting Russia even with the troops on the ground, there is a clear for…

14

Nov

2024

EN Speech

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Enhancing Europe’s civilian and defence preparedness and readiness (debate)

Madam President, dear colleagues, dear President Niinistö, first of all, of course, thank you for this report. A timely call to redefine how we approach crisis preparedness. With global tensions on the rise, Europe can no longer rely on old assumptions about security guarantees. While NATO remains our cornerstone, Europe needs to take on more responsibility and your report captures this urgency, p…

10

Oct

2024

EN Speech

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Consequences of the devastating forest fires in the Amazon and the importance of the Amazon for climate change (debate)

Madam President, Commissioner, colleagues, the fires that have been ravaging the Amazon once again are not just an environmental crisis, they are a true planetary emergency. This summer alone, the Amazon fires have released an estimated 31.5 million tonnes of CO2, a figure close to the total amount of Norway. These blazes – primarily man-made and driven by deforestation for agriculture – are aggra…