“Lithuania understands the security challenges and threats of Ukraine and faces them directly every day. Lithuania stands by an unequivocal position: international assistance to Ukraine in the area of defence needs to be enhanced,” said Minister of National Defence Arvydas Anušauskas at a meeting with Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine Oleksiy Danilov.
Minister A. Anušauskas invited the EU to consider launching a military advice and assist mission to Ukraine at the informal Defence Ministers’ meeting in Lisbon last week. Minister assured that the proposal will be further processed with EU member states and institutions. That would make an important step towards a stronger support to Ukraine’s reform.
At the meeting on Monday, Minister and O. Danilov discussed the practical defence cooperation of Lithuania and Ukraine and joint projects in the area of cyber defence. Minister A. Anušauskas underscored the input of the Lithuanian National Military Training Mission in Ukraine in mentoring Ukrainian military personnel according to the most recent training methodology, further priorities of the mission, and additional material assistance planned to be allotted to Ukraine.
“The Lithuanian-Ukrainian defence cooperation has always been intense, however, the 2014 events in Ukraine have rendered it highly practic. The Ministry of National Defence will continue the practic and material assistance,” said A. Anušauskas.
Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine Oleksiy Danilov expressed gratitude to Lithuania for the many years of consistent political support to Ukraine. The guest underscored that Ukraine’s Euro-Atlantic integration aspiration was unwavering and every effort was made to make it come true.
Photo credits: G.Maksimovicz-Alkema
