On December 16 Minister of National Defence Robertas Kaunas took part in a distance meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group where support to Ukraine, major needs of the country were on the agenda, as well as developments on the frontline and progress on peace talks. The Ukraine Defence Contact Group has met for the 32 time.
“Enhancement of Ukraine’s defensive capacity is one of Lithuania’s priority strategic objectives. Lithuania has already supported Ukraine with over USD 1 billion in military assistance since the start of the war and is a reliable partner and consistent supporter for the future as well. Lithuania also has committed to support Ukraine annually with at least 0.25% of GDP,” said Minister of National Defence R. Kaunas.
Next year, Lithuania’s military support in Ukraine’s self-defence will total to approx. EUR 220 million. Lithuania is also an active participant of the Nordic-Baltic Initiative Task Force LEGIO. Lithuania’s contributed team of instructors will join in the training for Ukrainian brigades in the nearest while.
Also, Lithuania will continue supporting Ukraine through urgent military assistance programmes with our second financial contribution to the PURL mechanism for acquisition of critical weaponry and via the Patriot and the Czech ammunition initiatives.
Joint production projects where Ukrainian equipment is manufactured on Lithuanian soil is also one of the measures for increasing military assistance to Ukraine. The support of Lithuania’s military industry rests on several key aims. Primarily, to speed localization of the Ukrainian defence industry, Lithuania will also continue bilateral direct investment in Ukraine’s defence industry using the so-called Lithuanian model, which is also planned to be applied internationally and more widely as well. Minister R. Kaunas also thanked Ireland for the contribution to the Lithuanian model of financing electronic warfare equipment production and invited other Allied to follow suit. The model offers a simple and effective way to finance equipment production in Ukraine.
Likewise, Lithuania will continue the training and rehabilitation for injured Ukrainian military personnel on the Lithuanian soil, as well as refurbishment of the Medical Rehabilitation Facility in Zhytomyr.
