The President underlined that Lithuania stands firmly behind Ukraine in its fight against the aggressor and will continue to deliver military support. According to Gitanas Nausėda, Lithuania has approved a long-term military assistance plan for Ukraine worth around 200 million euros. It is expected that Lithuania-supplied NASAMS launchers will reach Ukraine as early as in September.
“We will support Ukraine until victory over evil is achieved. Lithuania will continue to assist Ukraine with weapons and ammunition, training and financial support. This is our joint struggle for freedom,” the President said.
Gitanas Nausėda expressed Lithuania’s support for President Zelenskyy’s peace formula, emphasizing that peace talks can only bring lasting results if they are based on the recognition of Ukraine’s independence and territorial integrity.
The Lithuanian leader said that the decisions taken at the NATO Summit in Vilnius should accelerate the process of rapprochement between NATO and Ukraine. The President expressed hope that the newly established NATO-Ukraine Council will serve as a useful political tool and that the multi-year support and deterrence package of NATO countries will help Ukraine in its fight against the aggressor.
The two leaders also discussed Ukraine’s EU accession process. The President underlined that Lithuania strongly supports Ukraine’s Euro-integration aspirations and its path to EU integration. According to Gitanas Nausėda, despite the ongoing war, Ukraine has achieved progress in its reform process. He stressed that a further breakthrough in implementing the European Commission’s recommendations is necessary to start membership negotiations this year.
“No one doubts that Ukraine is Europe. Ukraine’s future lies in the European Union. The fact that the country has managed to implement reforms amidst a bloody war deserves respect. Lithuania is ready to help Ukraine on both paths towards reforms and Euro-integration," the President said.
