The President voiced strong support for the Ukrainian government's efforts to restore peace and stability in the eastern part of the country.
According to the President, the information war is underway; therefore it is highly important that objective information from Ukraine reaches the widest possible international media network.
President Grybauskaitė noted that by signing the EU Association Agreement Ukraine made a crucial step forward choosing a European way of development. Now, she said, it is very important to ratify the Association Agreement by the end of September as well as to implement its terms and continue the essential democratic reforms already started.
The Lithuanian head of state also underlined that she strongly hoped that early elections to the Verkhovna Rada would be free and fair and will contribute to stabilization of the political situation in Ukraine.
When discussing the issues of support for Ukraine, the President noted that any unilateral Russian action on the territory of Ukraine, under any pretext, including humanitarian, is a violation of international law. Support to Ukraine, according to the President, should be provided via the Red Cross or other international organizations and only in agreement with the government of this country.
On August 12, the European Commission announced it was giving a €2.5 million humanitarian assistance for Ukrainian conflict-affected population. It has also prepared an 11 billion euro package of financial support. Lithuania has already allocated 420,000 litas of support to Ukraine and 150,000 litas for the medical treatment of Ukrainians this year.
The President expressed deep condolences over the loss of lives of Ukrainian people in the conflict, including the refugees who perished yesterday when their convoy was attacked with Grad rockets by Russia-backed terrorists.
