In the interaction between Ukraine and Lithuania, the most valuable thing is a common understanding of the challenges of today, so the countries will continue to coordinate actions within international organizations to defend the interests of both states. This was stated by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at a joint press conference with Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda in Vilnius.
"The most valuable thing in our cooperation is the common understanding by Ukraine and Lithuania of the main challenges of today. Lithuania strongly supports the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine, is one of the most active lobbyists for the preservation of EU sanctions and an effective participant in my initiative called "Crimean Platform", which will be held in Ukraine for the first time on August 23," said Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
For his part, the President of Lithuania stressed that Russia continues the occupation. There is also a concentration of Russian troops in the occupied Crimea and near the border with Ukraine.
"We are witnessing such actions by Russia and we must stand by the position I expressed to the EU leaders in June at the European Council, namely: we cannot start any dialogue with the aggressive regime until we see no positive changes in its (Russia’s - ed.) behavior," said Gitanas Nausėda.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy stressed that Lithuania is a reliable partner and ally of Ukraine on all international platforms, such as the UN, OSCE, Council of Europe.
"We have agreed to continue to coordinate our actions so that our position within international organizations is clear and meets the interests of both states," he added.
The Ukrainian President also noted Lithuania's strong voice in support of Ukraine's strategic goal of joining the EU and NATO. He thanked his Lithuanian counterpart for supporting Ukraine's position during the recent European Council and the Brussels NATO Summit.
Gitanas Nausėda, for his part, stressed that Lithuania will always support Ukraine on its path to the EU and NATO, which was confirmed by the signing of a respective declaration.
In his opinion, it is important to continue supporting Ukraine on this path of necessary transformations.
"At the European Council, I also called on the leaders to express their support for the associate members - Ukraine, Georgia and Moldova - and to open the way to European integration. We can start with the gradual integration of these countries into the EU common market," said Gitanas Nausėda.
The President of Lithuania also announced that he would visit Ukraine to take part in events marking the 30th anniversary of Ukrainian independence.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy thanked his Lithuanian counterpart for agreeing to take part in the celebrations on the occasion of the Independence Day of Ukraine and in the founding summit of the Crimean Platform.
"Ukraine will soon celebrate the 30th anniversary of independence. I am very glad that Mr. President accepted my invitation and will be able to personally attend all the celebrations that will take place in Kyiv... This once again proves that true friends are always nearby: both in pleasant times of celebration and in difficult times of struggle," said the Head of State, addressing the President of Lithuania.
He also thanked the Lithuanian party for the invitation to participate in the celebration of the Lithuanian Statehood Day and for the excellent organization of the Fourth Conference on Reforms in Ukraine.
