Minister of National Defence Arvydas Anušauskas paid a visit to Ukraine to discuss the course of the war in Ukraine, need for urgent assistance and reform at the Ministry of Defence and the Armed Forces of Ukraine over the mid-term with Ukraine’s Minister of Defence Oleksii Reznikov and representatives of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. The officials discussed the upcoming NATO Summit in Vilnius and its potential outcome concerning the Ukraine-NATO prospects. Minister also informed the Ukrainian colleague about the nearest Lithuanian military assistance packages, and discussed the progress and plans of the training provide for the Ukrainians. .
Next package of the Lithuanian military assistance for Ukraine comprises thousands of L-70 anti-aircraft weapons with tens of thousands of ammunitions rounds will soon be in the hands of the Ukrainians, as well as two Mi-8 helicopters. In the nearest while another shipment of Soviet-type automatic rifles and ammunition will be delivered to Ukrainian military as well. Replacement value of the new military assistance package is planned to be approx. EUR 126.2 million.
A. Anušauskas welcomed the increasingly gritty support to Ukraine with the critically needed heavy weaponry, tanks and armored vehicles, by the Western countries. Minister expressed a hope there would be no more doubt about other kinds of weapons, such as fighter aircraft or long-range missiles, either.
“Western politicians increasingly better understand the importance of assistance to the Armed Forces of Ukraine until victory with the equipment it takes. Many red lines have already been crossed with the recent one concerning tank supply. It is a shame only the horrors of war change the attitude. We can not afford to let Russia to win, the West have to support Ukraine’s victory,” said Minister A. Anušauskas.
Minister O. Reznikov underscored at the meeting Ukraine’s appreciation of the assistance from Lithuania. He noted the A. Anušauskas was among the first Defence Ministers to visit Ukraine after the war started last March.
“It is an honor for me to again host in Ukraine my brave friend from Lithuania. We have agreed on further steps towards victory against the terrorist state,” Minister of Defence of Ukraine said.
So far, Lithuania has rendered assistance to Ukraine worth of EUR 283 million. It includes the Stinger air defence systems, anti-tank weapons, tactical vests and helmets, 120 mm mortars, small arms, ammunition, thermal imagery equipment, drones, drone jammers, surveillance radars, M113 armored personnel careers, trucks, ATVs, and other kinds of assistance matched to the requirement voiced by Ukraine.
