The European Union is aware of the non-compliance with the Minsk agreements by Russia, so the sanctions will remain in place, Lithuanian President Dalia Grybauskaite has said.

"It is important that Europe understands and agrees with the principles set out in the Minsk agreements, and they are not observed. Therefore, sanctions will remain in place," the Lithuanian president said in an interview with the ICTV channel on Sunday evening.

She also referred to her country's relations with Russia. "We (the people of Lithuania) have a first hand knowledge of what this neighbor means. As for Italy or Greece, they are located too far, they have not had such a relationship with the Russian Federation, the shared history. And from their point of view, their perception of Russia's behavior is somewhat different. But we feel the danger, we can better understand what is happening," Grybauskaite added.

The Lithuanian president is convinced that it is crucial to seek a dialogue and peaceful solutions to problems with neighboring countries. "It is important not to fight with neighbors, but to seek solutions peaceful means and dialogue whenever it is possible. And, of course, to attract the international community to this matter as much as possible," Grybauskaite said.