Taking part in the “Ukraine’s Horizons” public debate on Ukraine’s future prospects, the President highlighted Ukraine’s resolve and concrete aspirations. “Horizon is not the right term when we talk about Ukraine. We usually perceive a horizon as something that is constantly moving away, without any hope of reaching it, while Ukraine has very clear goals, which it pursues through reforms, while at the same time defending its people, sovereignty, and territorial integrity. We have done a lot to help Ukraine, however, it is only a work half done,” the Lithuanian leader spoke.
The President stressed that Western support for Ukraine remains critical. “With many geopolitical hotspots flaring up around the world—most of them with Russia’s involvement—and 2024 being election year in the US and the EU, we must not lose focus on Russia’s military aggression as it directly affects the security of the whole Alliance. Ukraine must remain on top of NATO’s agenda,” the Head of State said in his address to world political and business leaders.
According to Gitanas Nausėda, in addition to the security guarantees and military support provided to Ukraine by the allies and members of the Ramstein coalition, Ukraine’s steps towards Euro-Atlantic integration are of great importance.
“At the Vilnius NATO Summit, Ukraine’s accession to NATO has become a question of “when”, not “if”. Just as inviting Ukraine to join the EU has, in principle, already answered the question of the country’s presence in the EU,” the President pointed out.
According to the Head of State, Lithuania hopes that negotiations on Ukraine’s EU membership will start without delay, as early as in March. “Lithuania will provide Ukraine with all possible support in the negotiations,” President Gitanas Nausėda underlined.
Another important area of assistance to Ukraine is its reconstruction without waiting for the end of the war. “We must show Russia won’t succeed in demolishing the country. Active EU, G7 and other donor coordination as well as the involvement of private sector is key to the solution,” the Lithuanian leader said in his address to the Davos World Economic Forum.
President Gitanas Nausėda stressed that one of the sources for Ukraine’s reconstruction should be the frozen Russian assets, as well as the assets of legal entities that violate or circumvent sanctions. Legislation allowing for such solutions has been in force in Lithuania since January 2024.
