Minister of National Defence Laurynas Kasčiūnas is on a visit in Kyiv. He met with President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy with whom he discussed the challenge’s Ukraine was facing on the battlefield, in energy and economy sectors.
Ukraine’s most urgent need at the moment – military and diplomatic assistance in defence against Russia and Ukraine’s prospects of NATO and EU membership – were also discussed.
“Lithuania’s assistance to Ukraine is sincere and sustained. We are supporting Ukraine in every way we can and we are looking for more possibilities to increase our support. We are aware that the whole free Europe can expect stability only through long-term military and financial assistance to Ukraine. That is why I have conveyed to President Zelenskyy that we are committed on our behalf to do everything to ensure it, including encouraging other Allies to do the same,” said L. Kasčiūnas.
Minister of National Defence assured that Lithuania was going to remain a loyal ally to Ukraine, and also a clearly aware one that the European security depended on the outcome of the war in Ukraine. Lithuania supports Ukraine’s Peace Formula, understands the importance of the Western assistance to Ukraine and encourages other Allies to hear out Ukraine’s requests and support the position of the invaded country.
Yet another topic addressed at the meeting was Lithuania’s decision to join the Latvian-led Drone Coalition. A purchase of drones from Lithuanian manufacturers for transferring to Ukraine is considered in the framework.
Minister of National Defence and President of Ukraine then discussed the latest news from the Demining Coalition led by Lithuania and participation in other multilateral coalitions. For instance, Lithuania’s contribution to the Czech-proposed multilateral initiative for acquiring ammunition for Ukraine. Lithuania has decided to earmark EUR 35 million for that matter.
The wish of the Lithuanian defence industry to strengthen the partnership with Ukraine’s defence industry investors, for example, support drone and drone-jamming equipment production, was also discussed. Ukraine could contribute to part of the drone and anti-drone technologies and share experience from drone deployment on the battlefield.
This year Lithuania has transferred 155mm ammunition, M577 armored personnel carriers, drone-jamming systems, winter gear and tens of thousands sets of warm clothing, thousands of rounds for and Carl Gustaf anti-tank recoilless rifle and RISE-1 remote initiation system sets.
Lithuania renders assistance to Ukraine on a sustained long-term basis, it amounts to a billion euros already. The military assistance so far has reached approx. EUR 610 million. This year alone has seen approx. EUR 84 million worth of assistance to Ukraine, a dynamic aimed to become the norm.
Photo courtesy of the Office of the President of Ukraine
