Lithuania urges EU to label Russia's GRU as a terrorist group

Lithuania's foreign minister Kestutis Budrys called on EU leaders to place Russia's foreign military intelligence agency, the GRU, on the bloc's terrorist list, describing its activities as akin to terrorism. He referenced a series of recent hybrid attacks, including an arson attack in Munich and a drone incident at Leipzig airport, to illustrate the threat. Budrys, a former officer of Lithuania's State Security Department, argued that only heightened sanctions would prevent Russia from destabilising European capitals.

He condemned the EU's recent decision to delist two Russian oligarchs, saying the move signalled weakness and spurred further Russian aggression in Ukraine and Europe. The EU maintains a terrorist list that currently includes groups such as Hamas and ISIS, but no Russian entity has been added so far. Budrys' appeal comes as the EU prepares for an Oct. 12 meeting of foreign ministers.