President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with Prime Minister of Lithuania Gintautas Paluckas and his Government, which, following approval by the Seimas, made the first visit to Ukraine in the history of Ukrainian-Lithuanian relations in its entirety.
“This is a true manifestation of solidarity and commitment to our shared values,” the Head of State said.
The President thanked Lithuania for its consistency in providing unwavering support and comprehensive assistance to Ukraine, and highlighted the annual allocation of 0.25% of Lithuania's GDP to support our state's defense and security needs.
“Your help is a vital contribution to our struggle for a just and lasting peace. We are grateful to you and to all Lithuanians for your support. You are like brothers and sisters to us. We can truly rely on you,” Volodymyr Zelenskyy noted.
During the meeting, the parties discussed military cooperation, particularly the need to strengthen Ukraine's air defense to protect energy facilities. The Head of State emphasized that procuring weapons from Ukrainian manufacturers and developing new opportunities for cooperation between the defense industries of Ukraine and Lithuania significantly contribute to achieving a just peace.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy additionally thanked Lithuania for supporting Ukraine's NATO membership, which is an effective guarantee of our country's long-term security, as well as for Lithuania’s assistance in the EU accession negotiations.
The Lithuanian delegation reaffirmed its willingness to continue providing assistance to Ukraine and to play a significant role in projects focused on reconstruction and restoration of energy infrastructure.