President of Lithuania Gitanas Nausėda visited Ukraine the week before Easter, and together with the presidents of Poland, Latvia and Estonia met with the president of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, in Kyiv. They discussed measures to change the course of the war and stop the aggressor. Gitanas Nausėda emphasized that military support to Ukraine was crucial at this time as it could determine the war’s outcome and Ukraine’s victory. He said that diplomatic efforts are important for stopping the war, but not enough: Ukraine needs military, economic, humanitarian, and political assistance.
“Lithuania has provided Ukraine with weapons to equip a brigade-sized unit and with relevant ammunition. Military assistance will help the heroic Ukrainian people to fight for their freedom and sovereignty. Lithuania stands with you all the way – together until Victory,” Nausėda said.
According to Nausėda, Lithuania’s humanitarian and financial aid to Ukraine currently amounts to around 14 million euros. He pointed out that Lithuania currently hosts over 43,000 war refugees from Ukraine, offering them facilitated settlement opportunities as well as access to education for children. Lithuania intends to establish a Ukrainian education and culture hub under the patronage of the First Ladies of Lithuania and Ukraine.
Speaking to the presidents of Latvia, Estonia, Poland, and Ukraine, the Lithuanian leader emphasized that the international community should accelerate the process of isolating Russia and that sanctions should cover not only Russia but also Belarus, also a party to Russia’s war against Ukraine. The new round of EU sanctions must include an embargo on gas and oil from Russia as well as sanctions on all Russian banks, the president said. “We have to give up Russian oil and gas right now. We cannot wait a year or two because Ukrainians are dying every day. By buying Russian oil and gas, Europe finances Russia’s war machine. We cannot allow it. This is a unique moment for Europe to become energy independent.”
The meeting also addressed options for speeding up Ukraine’s accession to the European Union. The presidents expressed their support for Ukraine’s European aspirations and agreed to continue raising this issue at their meetings with EU member states.
