The meeting was initiated by the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, Keir Starmer, and attended by leaders from Europe and beyond.
President Nausėda emphasized that, from Lithuania’s standpoint, the principle of “peace through strength” means that both the ceasefire and the final peace agreement must fully comply with international law.
“A peace achieved through negotiations must guarantee comprehensive and long-term security for both Ukraine and Europe. Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity are not negotiable. Our immediate task is to agree on Ukraine’s security guarantees and the mechanisms for their implementation,” the President said.
According to Gitanas Nausėda, it is essential to ensure that Ukraine maintains a strong army – one of the most reliable deterrence measures on the ground – as well as a well-developed defense industry and an international military presence in the region.
“At the same time, we will continue providing military, political, economic, and humanitarian assistance to Ukraine. We are committed to long-term support, allocating at least 0.25% of our GDP,” the President stated.
He underscored the need to discuss not only support for Ukraine but also the existential threat posed by the aggressor, Russia.
“The Kremlin is prepared for a long-term confrontation with the West. The only way to prevent war is through strong NATO deterrence and defense forces. Therefore, we must invest more in defense and agree at this year’s NATO Summit in The Hague that 3.5% of GDP for defense spending becomes the new benchmark for Alliance members,” the President said.
Until a peace agreement is reached and after it is signed, Russia and its accomplice, Belarus, must be deterred through various measures, including maintaining and strengthening sanctions, the President noted.
