November 10, the Government of the Republic of Lithuania took a decision to donate a military aircraft to Ukraine. Currently held on the trust basis by the Lithuanian Armed Forces, a L-39 ZA aircraft will be transferred to the Armed Forces of Ukraine on a non-reimbursable basis to advance its objectives and functions.
Lithuania has been an active supporter of Ukraine’s independence and territorial integrity and rendering every kind of possible and legally permitted assistance, including military, since the beginning of the Russian aggression in early 2014.
Lithuania’s assistance to the country began as medical care for injured military servicemembers and post-treatment case. In 2017 it expanded to military training missions: together with the allies, Lithuanian military instructors are providing assistance to Ukraine in reforming and training its armed forces. Lithuania has already donated to Ukraine ammunition and components of weaponry in the past.
The military aircraft will be delivered to Ukraine within a short while, as soon as practical details are settled with the Ukrainian side. It is a step of the consistent and comprehensive assistance and support that Lithuania is rendering to Ukraine in order to support Ukraine’s efforts to strengthen is defence capabilities and sovereignty.
Lithuania respects all applicable international agreements and conventions and EU and national legal acts in rendering assistance to Ukraine. It is only allowed to use the assets donated by the Lithuanian Armed Forces for the Ministry of Defence of Ukraine and its subordinate agencies for the purpose of protecting national security, for national defence, and for participation in regional and collective agreements seeking carry out activities agreeable to United Nations Charter regulations.
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