President Gitanas Nausėda, addressing the participants of the annual event of the Association of German Banks (BdB) on Monday evening, called for a determined contribution to the efforts to stop Russia’s aggressive war against Ukraine.

On 4 April, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Lithuania announced its decision to lower the level of diplomatic representation with the Russian Federation – the ambassador of Russia to Lithuania will have to leave the country. Given the overall unconstructive role of the Russian diplomatic service, the Lithuanian Government has also decided to close the Consulate General in Klaipėda in relation to the aggression against Ukraine. These decisions were delivered to representatives of the Russian Embassy in Vilnius, who were summoned to the Foreign Ministry.

Protecting young Ukrainian refugees, EU security and defence and funding for energy infrastructure are on the agenda for April's plenary session.

Russia's invasion of Ukraine has forced millions of people to leave their homes. Find out what the EU is doing to help them and manage its external borders.

On March 21 Minister of National Defence Arvydas Anušauskas took part in the European Union Foreign Affairs Council (Defence) where EU Foreign Affairs and Defence Ministers agreed to the EU Strategic Compass. The documents lays out the EU security environment and threats and set EU Security and Defence Policy objectives until 2030.

Following up rapidly on the REPowerEU Communication and the Versailles Declaration, the Commission has set out ideas today for collective European action to address the root causes of the problem in the gas market and ensure security of supply at reasonable prices for next winter and beyond. Leaders will continue the discussion on these options at this week's European Council.

On Tuesday afternoon, the Women’s Rights Committee will discuss with Commissioner Johansson how to protect women and children refugees fleeing Ukraine.

President Gitanas Nausėda continues his working visit to Brussels where he is participating in the European Council, which began on Thursday. At Friday’s meeting, EU leaders discussed energy independence, security and defense as well as the EU’s economic competitiveness.

The European Parliament will debate new EU energy and food security strategies and host the Ukraine Solidarity Days.

On Thursday, President Gitanas Nausėda met with the newly appointed Head of the European Commission Representation in Lithuania, Marius Vaščega.