On June 13, Thursday, Minister of National Defence took part in the Ukraine Defense Contact Group (Ramstein format) meeting. Ukraine’s donors are meeting on the margins of the NATO Defence Ministers’ meeting in Brussels.
“It is vital for the eventual Ukraine’s victory to receive more funding for military assistance. Lithuania is committed to retaining a steady scope of military aid set at at least 0.25 percent of GDP. The priorities of military assistance Lithuania renders are air defence, demining, UAVs and drone jamming systems are. I am proud to inform that Lithuania has donated EUR 16 million to the UK-led International Fund for Ukraine for air defence procurements,” said Minister L. Kasčiūnas at the Ukraine Defense Contact Group meeting.
Over May and June Lithuania’s package of material aid to Ukraine, besides the financial contribution to the International Fund for Ukraine for air defenses, include the M113 armored personnel carriers that will reach Ukraine by the end of this week, as well as5.56 mm ammunition, drone jamming and surveillance drone systems and other vital items – power generators, field beds, truck tires.
The M113 Lithuania hands over to Ukraine’s demining capabilities is a non-reimbursable contribution to the Ukraine Demining Coalition Lithuania leads with Iceland.
Minister of National Defence also attended the NATO-Ukraine Council which addressed the objectives of the NATO Summit in Washington.
“The stronger our long-term commitment to Ukraine is, the sooner the war ends,” stated Minister at the meeting and urge the Allies to reach an agreement on the long-term assistance package and prospects of Ukraine’s NATO membership. According to L. Kasčiūnas, the priorities on the upcoming Washington Summit agenda are increasing financial assistance and training Ukrainian military personnel in Ukraine.
Photo credits: MoD, NATO
