On March 19 Minister of National Defence Arvydas Anušauskas with Minister of Defence of Ukraine Andrii Taran in Kyiv to discuss the security situation in Ukraine and the Baltic Sea region, and the Lithuanian-Ukrainian bilateral defence cooperation.
“The actions Russia takes against both, Lithuania and Ukraine, makes the security situation in the region worse. Active spread of disinformation, cyber-attacks, aggressive manoeuvres near our borders, also taking advantage of the situation in the neighbour Belarus, urges us to prepare for various potential scenarios, therefore we have to be ready to react and respond, also through actions concerted with Ukraine,” Minister A. Anušauskas said. On the first day of the visit Minister of National Defence received a briefing on the security situation in Ukraine from Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Colonel General Ruslan Khomchak.
“Lithuania will continue its political support and practical assistance to Ukraine in the area of defence. We are contributing to the military education reform, development of the Special Operations Forces. Introduction of NATO standards into military personnel training and transformation of the command and control system. We also intend to expand the cooperation and levels of available intelligence exchange,” Minister said.
During the visit Minister of National Defence A. Anušauskas also met with Lithuanian military personnel deployed to Ukraine, visited the 169th Training Centre Desna of the Ground Forces to where Lithuanians have been deploying since 2015 to help train the forces of Ukraine. Lithuania conducts the National Military Training Operation in Ukraine since the Seimas approved its mandate in 2017.
Minister also attended the Lithuanian-Ukraine President Council conference, meeting with Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine Dmytro Razumkov, visited injured soldiers at a military hospital, and met with war veterans in the delegation of President of the Republic of Lithuania.
Lithuania supports Ukraine’s aspiration to become a member of NATO and actively develops bilateral cooperation in defence area. Lithuania supports Ukraine’s reforms in military career education alone and together with NATO allies, assists Ukraine with adoption of NATO standards and procedures into the Armed Forces that seeks to increase interaction with armed forces of NATO allies.
Defence cooperation between Lithuania and Ukraine intensified after the Russian military aggression in 2014. Lithuania was rendering material and technical assistance to the Armed Forces of Ukraine, offered medical rehabilitation to injured Ukrainian troops in Lithuania. Relations with Ukraine remains an important priority in Lithuania’s foreign and security policy. By developing the cooperation with the Eastern Partners Lithuania strengthens security in the region.
Minister of National Defence is on a visit in Ukraine on March 18 through 20 in the delegation of the President of the Republic of Lithuania G. Nausėda.
Photo credits: Maj Lina Jieznienė
