“We are at a critical moment were we have to start thinking and acting like we ourselves were living a wartime. This is the only attitude option to help Ukraine achieve victory,” Minister of National Defence Arvydas Anušauskas said on September 8 at the Ukraine Defense Contact Group meeting at U.S. Ramstein Air Base, Germany.
Hosted by U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin, defence ministers and representatives of armed forces of the countries that back Ukraine militarily discussed the course of the Russian war in Ukraine and named the most up to date weaponry requirement for the Armed Forces of Ukraine at the Ramstein format meeting.
“We need to maximize the speed of manufacturing weaponry and military equipment back in our countries. The Armed Forces of Ukraine need a continuous supply of arms because Russia braces itself for a prolonged war. We cannot afford pauses. Lithuania proceeds with material aid to Ukraine on our behalf, 105mm howitzers are currently on the way to Ukraine,” said A. Anušauskas.
At the already regular meeting of donor countries Minister A. Anušauskas also underscored the need to support Ukraine with military training.
“We have launched training for Ukrainian service members in Lithuania since April. Approx. 150 Ukrainian troops have undergone various training courses over the six months since. Artillery specialist training is planned for October. And finally, we will contribute two rotations of 15 military instructors each to the UK-led basic military training,” said A. Anušauskas.
Minister underscored that Lithuania committed to enduring assistance with specialist training, however, all countries needed to do more on mutual coordination for the maximum effect.
