Minister of Defence of Ukraine Rustem Umerov is conducting a visit to Lithuania at the invitation of Minister of National Defence Laurynas Kasčiūnas.
Meeting in Vilnius Ministers discussed Lithuania’s assistance in support of President Zelenskyy’s Victory and Peace Plans and Lithuania’s military assistance plan 2025 for the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
“It is a joy to welcome Minister of Defence of Ukraine to Lithuania. In our meeting we have discussed Lithuania’s further assistance and their needs, the things Ukraine requires the most at the moment, their assessment of the situation and how we can help. Just like this year, Lithuania will stay committed to 0.25% of GDP security and defence assistance to Ukraine next year as well,” Minister of National Defence L. Kasčiūnas said.
Lithuania’s assistance will consist of lethal and non-lethal aid, contributions to funds, training assistance and rehabilitation, reconstruction of Zhytomyr Military Hospital Rehabilitation Centre, expert consultations.
Lithuania will also make a financial contribution to the Demining Capability Coalition Fund led by Lithuania and Iceland, continue contributing to the Czech ammunition initiative, acquire drones, drone jamming equipment and other equipment from Lithuanian manufacturers, and will support Ukraine’s defence industry.
Ministers signed a bilateral agreement on financing the Ukrainian defence industry through a mechanism of assistance for the Armed Forces of Ukraine developed from Lithuania’s financial contributions to the Ukrainian defence industry.
The document complements the four-partite Lithuanian-Ukrainian memorandum on cooperation agreement on defence industry development signed in Kyiv on November 4 this year. The Ministry of National Defence will not only carry on with the planned financing for Palianycia in implementation of the signed documents but will also look for opportunities to finance other weaponry produced in Ukraine and relocate Ukraine’s companies to Lithuania.
Photo credits: A. Pliadis/MoD
