“We had a unique opportunity to observe the formation of the new Government in the Verkhovna Rada. This government will have a particularly difficult task to quickly find a solution to the country’s economic and political crisis. They will have to negotiate financial aid for Ukraine, as the country’s budget was not only hit hard by the crisis, but also wasted, and to ensure the country’s territorial integrity while open provocations take place in the Crimea region,” Minister L.Linkevičius said.

At the meetings, L.Linkevičius welcomed the quick formation of the new Government and voiced Lithuania’s support for the country’s aim to get financial aid from European and international financial institutions.

The meetings focused on a discussion of the deteriorating situation in Crimea, where the Parliament building was seized and the Russian military movement increased.

“We have received especially worrying news from Crimea. Most importantly, Russia is not reacting in any way to attempts by Ukrainians to open a dialogue,” L.Linkevičius said.

All the Ukrainian officials have iterated the need to aim to sign the Association Agreement with the EU as quickly as possible, which will pave the way for the modernisation of the country’s economy and investments.

The Acting President O.Turchynov thanked Lithuania for its continuous and sincere help to treat the injured and its support to the democratic aspirations of the Ukrainian people.

The meetings also emphasized the need for the implementation of the EU sanctions against those responsible for the use of force and the bloodshed in order to guard against further destructive activities of these people. “Even though I still hear talks that mere threat of the sanctions has already succeeded, here, in Kyiv, I have realised that they are still necessary,” L.Linkevičius said.

urm.lt