“Today, we came here to voice our support. We stand in solidarity with your people as we observe an escalation in the situation in eastern Ukraine”, said Linkevičius.
On 9 February in Kyiv, Lithuania’s Foreign Minister also met with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Pavlo Klimkin, the First Deputy Chairman Verkhovna Rada Iryna Heraščenko, the Secretary of the National Security and Defence Council Oleksandr Turchynov, and Nadiya Savchenko, People’s Deputy of the Verkhovna Rada.
“Lithuania’s support for Ukraine is very important. You are Ukraine’s most reliable partners,” said Poroshenko.
Ukraine’s President briefed the Lithuanian Foreign Minister on security situation in eastern Ukraine and the attack undertaken by Russian-backed separatist in Avdiivka the previous week. The President noted that Russia’s continuing aggression was an obstacle to peace and to the implementation of the Minsk agreements.
Lithuania’s Foreign Minister said that the whole of Europe was deeply concerned about the fact that Russia did not fulfil its obligation to withdraw its forces and weapons from the territory of Ukraine.
Linkevičius also informed the Ukrainian leaders that the Foreign Affairs Council that week had spoken up in favour of the EU’s continued support for Ukraine and positively evaluated the Ukrainian reform agenda.
“Ongoing reforms efforts during the war demonstrate your country’s big determination to take the European path. However, one cannot give up, one must continue to respect one’s commitments, especially relating to the fight against corruption,” said Lithuania’s Foreign Minister.
In the meetings, the officials also discussed Lithuania’s further bilateral support for Ukraine and relevant issues related to relations between Ukraine and the EU. Lithuania’s Foreign Minister noted that Lithuania supported Ukraine’s goal of visa free travel in Europe for its citizens in the near future.
Tomorrow, Lithuania’s Foreign Minister will visit eastern Ukraine.
