According to the President, Ukraine and Georgia are paying the most painful price - that of war - for choosing the road of transatlantic integration. Therefore, NATO's support and open door policy are vitally important. The strong resistance of these countries to Russia's aggression, their will and determination to defend themselves contribute in a major way to European security, too.
Allied leaders gave a positive assessment to the progress made by Ukraine and Georgia, underlining that a successful delivery of strategic reforms was essential for joining NATO.
The Alliance values the contribution of Ukraine and Georgia to ensuring international peace and stability. The two countries are actively engaged in NATO-led international missions and operations. Georgia together with Sweden, Finland, Jordan, and Australia are five NATO enhanced opportunities partners with the highest level of interoperability in peacekeeping operations. Georgia's contribution to the NATO Resolute Support mission in Afghanistan is substantial : 870 Georgian troops are deployed there.
Ukraine, too, is a contributor to this mission. It supported NATO-led operations in the Balkans and joined the Global Coalition efforts in Iraq. Ukrainian soldiers were assigned for standby in NATO's Response Force.
NATO has also launched a platform of cooperation with Ukraine specifically dedicated to countering hybrid threats. Experts from allied countries help to restructure Ukraine's defense sector through joint programmes aimed at upgrading military training institutions. NATO remains committed to providing continued support to Ukraine through the Comprehensive Assistance Package.
Later in the day, the President will participate in a NATO meeting with partner nations in the Resolute Support mission in Afghanistan. Lithuania is actively engaged in allied and international efforts to fight terrorism. It has doubled the number of soldiers serving in Afghanistan to 45 and continues to provide financial support.
Lithuania is also member of the Global Coalition and intends to join the newly established NATO training mission in Iraq.
Meetings between the Presidents of Lithuania and the Prime Ministers of Iceland and Armenia are scheduled on the sidelines of the summit.
