On the Day of Ukrainian Statehood, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy held a meeting with President of the Republic of Lithuania Gitanas Nausėda, who is on a visit to our country.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy emphasized that Gitanas Nausėda made a lot of efforts to protect European values and showed historical leadership in the defense of freedom on the eastern borders of Europe.
"A worthy representative of the great Lithuanian people, whom our children and grandchildren both in Ukraine and in Lithuania, I am sure, will recall in history lessons," said the Ukrainian Head of State during a meeting with media representatives following the negotiations with the President of Lithuania in Kyiv.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy reminded that Lithuania was one of the first to provide Ukraine with significant defense support during the full-scale invasion of Russia.
"I have already told this more than once and I am proud to repeat that Ukraine received the first Stingers from our Lithuanian friends," he said.
The leaders discussed issues of security, defense and further protection of common interests of the two countries.
The Head of State noted that today the Russian occupiers increased the intensity of missile attacks on Ukraine.
"Against such a background, it was especially important for me to hear assurances from President Nausėda that defense assistance for the needs of the Armed Forces of Ukraine will be further provided," said Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
The President stressed that Ukraine and Lithuania will continue cooperation to speed up the European integration of our country.
"All key elements of our negotiations, individual agreements that were reached, were recorded in a joint statement. This document will be made public soon," said the Head of State.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy thanked Gitanas Nausėda and First Lady of the Republic of Lithuania Diana Nausėdienė for their help to forcibly displaced Ukrainians.
"At the initiative of the first ladies of our countries, the first Ukrainian center on the territory of the European Union was recently opened in Vilnius for the citizens who were forced to leave our country due to the Russian war," the President noted.
The Ukrainian President emphasized that such humanitarian initiatives, along with another assistance that Ukraine received from Lithuania, testify to the closeness of our nations and prove the readiness to give a joint response to existing challenges for both countries.
President of Lithuania Gitanas Nausėda, for his part, said that on the Day of Ukrainian Statehood, he wishes Ukraine victory, which will surely happen, because Ukrainians deserve it.
The President of the Republic of Lithuania thanked the President of Ukraine and all Ukrainians who are heroically resisting Russian aggression and are an example for everyone in Europe in protecting freedom.
"Lithuania has always been and will always be with you, because the freedom and independence of your state, its territorial integrity and the safety of your people are extremely important to us," Gitanas Nausėda said.
According to him, Lithuania is one of the main allies of Ukraine, which provides financial, political and military assistance.
"I didn't come empty-handed today either. The new aid package is ammunition and ten armored vehicles. Soon we will present anti-drone systems, which are manufactured in Lithuania and which I know you need," said the President of the Republic of Lithuania.
He emphasized that Lithuania has united in helping Ukraine and will not allow anyone in the West to either forget about this cruel war or get tired of it.
Gitanas Nausėda noted that all those who committed war crimes on the territory of Ukraine must be punished.
The leader of Lithuania also highly evaluated the effectiveness of President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's team, which is shown in the difficult conditions of war. This is evidenced by Ukraine's obtaining a candidate status for EU membership and implementation of reforms.
"The key thing now is not to stop and move forward," noted Gitanas Nausėda and added that Lithuania will help Ukraine on its way to the EU.
