In meetings with Iceland’s Prime Minister Kristrún Frostadóttir, President Halla Tómasdóttir, and the Speaker of Parliament Thórunn Sveinbjarnardóttir, Prime Minister Ruginienė discussed bilateral cooperation, regional security, closer Nordic–Baltic cooperation, and continued support for Ukraine fighting back Russia’s armed aggression.
“I greatly value the excellent relations between Lithuania and Iceland, as well as our close cooperation within NATO and the Nordic–Baltic Eight (NB8) formats. In today’s security environment, these partnerships are vital. Coordinated action and a unified response are essential when facing threats, including hybrid attacks,” said Prime Minister Ruginienė.
According to the Prime Minister, Russia’s shadow fleet, threats to critical maritime infrastructure, and the rise of sabotage and hybrid attacks across Europe reveal the aggressor’s intention for prolonged confrontation and the need to strengthen collective security, resilience, and support for Ukraine.
“Today, we strongly support Ukraine, remembering our own history—our struggle for freedom, in which Iceland’s courage and solidarity, as the first country to recognize the restoration of Lithuania’s independence, were immensely meaningful. This is a lasting lesson for us: when we are united and stand together, we are stronger and better able to resist aggression,” said the Prime Minister.
The discussions noted that the NB8 format is valuable not only for coordinating key foreign policy issues but also for addressing broader regional challenges.
Prime Minister Ruginienė emphasized the importance of close transatlantic ties and the continued need to increase sanctions pressure on Russia and its ally Belarus.
A meaningful link between the two countries is the sizeable Lithuanian community living in Iceland. The Prime Minister began her visit by meeting with representatives of the local diaspora to discuss the community’s concerns, developments in Lithuania, Lithuanian-language education, and consular services.
On Tuesday, Prime Minister Ruginienė will continue her visit and take part in a panel discussion at the Reykjavik Global Forum.
