Preamble
Ukraine and the Republic of Lithuania (hereinafter jointly referred to as “the Parties” or “Ukraine and Lithuania”):
Strongly condemning Russia’s full-scale war of aggression against the independent, peaceful, and democratic state of Ukraine, as well as the accomplice role of Belarus in conducting it,
reaffirming their unwavering support for the sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity of Ukraine and Lithuania, within their internationally recognised borders since 1990 and 1991 respectively, including their territorial sea,
recalling Resolution No XIV-930 “On the aggression of Russia and Belarus against Ukraine”, dated 24 February 2022, and Resolution No XIV-2491 “On the comprehensive support for Ukraine’s victory”, dated 14 March 2024, adopted by the Seimas of the Republic of Lithuania, wherein it unequivocally and enduringly conveyed its support for Ukraine and the steadfast commitment of Lithuania towards bolstering the sovereignty and welfare of Ukraine,
committed to common values of democracy, the rule of law, good governance, and respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms,
reaffirming the principles of international law reflected in the Charter of the United Nations (UN Charter), the Helsinki Final Act, the Charter of Paris, including the independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of states, and the inviolability of borders, which are essential for European and global security,
relying on deep historical roots of the friendship between their peoples, as well as the strategic partnership between Ukraine and Lithuania,
committed to stand united with Ukraine at this most difficult time until its victory against the Russian aggressor,
standing in full support to Ukraine’s inherent right of self-defence under Article 51 of the UN Charter to safeguard its independence and sovereignty and restore its territorial integrity,
recognising that Ukraine’s courageous fight against the Russian aggressor-state plays a crucial role in defending Euro-Atlantic security and the rules-based international order,
strongly supporting Ukraine’s aspirations towards the full-fledged membership of the European Union (EU), and North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO),
recalling that Russia, which unleashed its unprovoked, unjustified, and illegal war of aggression against Ukraine, remains the main threat not only for the independent and democratic Ukraine but also for Lithuania, the entire Euro-Atlantic area, the democratic and rules-based world order, and global peace and stability,
recalling Russia’s previous occupations of both countries, Russia’s tendency for historical revisionism, and multiple horrible past crimes – such as mass deportations, artificial starvation of people, political persecutions, and many others – that were never accounted for, aiming to ensure Russia’s full accountability for its crime of aggression against Ukraine and other most serious violations of international law against the Ukrainian people, and standing ready to work together to bring both the perpetrators and the political leaders responsible for these heinous acts to justice,
recognising the scale and severity of the destruction caused by the invading Russian army and standing ready to assist Ukraine in reconstructing the country,
supporting all the efforts of assistance to Ukraine, aimed at its victory, while being convinced that the lasting peace is only possible through perseverance, and strengthening of the alliances,
have jointly resolved to strengthen their security cooperation by pursuing the long-term bilateral security commitments and measures set out in this Agreement on security cooperation (hereinafter “the Agreement”).
Part I. Introduction
Scope
- This Agreement is intended to further the Joint Declaration of Support for Ukraine (the G7 Declaration) adopted by the members of the Group of Seven (G7) in Vilnius on 12 July 2023. Lithuania joined the Declaration together with other Baltic States on 17 August 2023 by a Joint Declaration of the Prime Ministers of Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia in this regard.
- This Agreement builds upon the Treaty on Friendship and Cooperation between Ukraine and the Republic of Lithuania of 8 February 1994. The Parties will continue to explore ways to further strengthen their strategic long-term partnership.
- Through this Agreement, the Parties are deepening their cooperation and partnership based on the commitment to defend and protect the rules-based international order, shared principles of democracy, the rule of law, fundamental human rights and freedoms, and every country’s right to choose its own security arrangements.
- Recognising Ukraine’s significant progress in implementing reforms, Lithuania remains firmly committed to Ukraine’s full European and Euro-Atlantic integration. The Parties reiterate that strong, safe, independent, and prosperous Ukraine, a full-fledged member of the EU and NATO, will become a major asset in securing peace and security in Europe and the Euro-Atlantic area. The Parties firmly believe that only NATO membership will provide Ukraine with the strongest security guarantees and a credible deterrent needed to avert any possible attempts of aggression by expansionist Russia. Building on NATO Vilnius Summit decisions, the Parties will continue their active coordination and cooperation on Ukraine’s path to becoming a member of the Alliance as soon as possible. Following the 15 December 2023 European Council’s decision to open accession negotiations with Ukraine, the Parties will work towards Ukraine’s swift accession to the EU.
- The main components of the security commitments covered by this Agreement are:
- ensuring regular strategic and political dialogue meetings between the Parties on all issues relevant to Ukraine’s defence against the aggressor and Ukraine’s victory;
- provision of military, humanitarian and financial support by Lithuania to Ukraine for the protection and the restoration of its territorial integrity within its internationally recognised borders;
- deepening of mutually beneficial cooperation in the security field;
- strengthening Ukraine’s economic and energy stability and resilience;
- support for Ukraine’s swift advancement towards NATO membership, including by supporting Ukraine in delivering on its reform agenda and further increasing interoperability with NATO, sharing Lithuania’s experience and expertise;
- support for Ukraine’s full-fledged membership in the EU,
- and other areas as agreed in the framework of the Strategic Dialogue.
Part II. Strategic and Political Dialogue
6. Strategic Dialogue
The Parties will conduct regular Strategic Dialogue meetings at the level of Presidents, Prime Ministers and Ministers of Foreign Affairs and Defence. Strategic guidance for the cooperation by the Parties on the implementation of this Agreement during the following 2-3 years will be set and the ongoing cooperation will be overseen at these meetings. These meetings should be held when requested by either of the Parties, preferably at least once per year.
7. Political Dialogue
The Parties will conduct regular Political Dialogue meetings at the level of Political Directors of the Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Defence, as well as Directors of the relevant departments within these Ministries. These meetings should be held when requested by either of the Parties, preferably at least once per year. Parties will also ensure close dialogue and cooperation between respective sectorial Ministries.
8. Cooperation at International Fora
The Parties will closely cooperate in international fora and will undertake coordinated and principled actions of international institutions and other international partners in support of Ukraine’s victory against the aggressor and would ensure the widest possible isolation of the latter, including through, but not limited to, the expulsion of the aggressor from international organisations and formats and suspension of its membership rights in the respective governing bodies of these organisations. Meetings between the Parties will be held on a regular basis at the level of Heads of Missions of the Parties to international organisations with the aim of coordinating actions in this area. Coordination between the Heads of Missions of the Parties in third countries will also be facilitated.
Part III. Security, Defence, and Military Cooperation
9. Before the start of Russia’s full-scale war of aggression against Ukraine, Lithuania supplied lethal support, including critical air defence assets, to Ukraine, slowing the aggressor’s advancement in early 2022. With the provision of more than half a billion EUR of military support over 2 years Lithuania has been one of the largest military aid suppliers to security and defence forces of Ukraine, aimed at countering Russia’s aggression. Lithuania has also provided material support, training of military personnel and rehabilitation of wounded Ukrainian soldiers. Lithuania will continue to support Ukraine for as long as it will be necessary, so that Ukraine can effectively defend its sovereignty and restore its territorial integrity. The Lithuanian Government will seek annually to provide security and defence support to Ukraine amounting to 0,25% of its annual GDP. In 2024, Lithuania’s military aid to Ukraine has already reached nearly EUR 80 million, including EUR 35 million allocated to the Czech initiative of Joint Procurement of Artillery Ammunition to Ukraine and will increase with further packages in the course of this year.
10. The Parties recall the inherent right of states to individual and collective self-defence, enshrined in Article 51 of the UN Charter; and the unlawfulness of any attempts to redraw borders by force. The Parties reaffirm that Ukraine’s security is integral to Euro-Atlantic and global security. The security and defence forces of Ukraine are defending not only state sovereignty, independence and their territory but also the UN Charter, shared values and fundamental principles of democracy, human rights and international law. The Parties reaffirm the sovereign right of each state to freely choose its security arrangements.
11. Lithuania’s security partnership with Ukraine has a solid historical background. Our nations share close historical ties, we commemorate joint victories against our enemy where our soldiers have demonstrated their spirit and resolve. Lithuania aims to support Ukraine in its fight for independent, democratic, and sovereign state, within its internationally recognised borders, capable of deterring and defending itself.
12. Reiterating that Ukraine’s future is in NATO, the Parties recognise that bilateral security commitments are not a replacement for Ukraine’s future membership in NATO but complement and support Ukraine’s full future membership. Lithuania will seek to assist Ukraine to deepen its interoperability with NATO, as well as to accelerate Ukraine’s transition to NATO equipment and standards.
13. The Parties will work together, and with other partners of Ukraine, to ensure that security and defence forces of Ukraine are able to fully restore Ukraine’s territorial integrity within its internationally recognised borders as of 1991, including its territorial sea, as well as to increase Ukraine’s resilience so that it is sufficient to deter and defend against future attacks and coercion. This will include, but is not limited to, working together so that Ukraine’s military and non-military security institutions are able to perform effectively to Euro-Atlantic standards and are fully accountable to the Ukrainian people, the Parliament, and the Government.
14. Through this Agreement:
- The Parties will work together on ensuring sustainable security and defence forces of Ukraine, capable of defending Ukraine now and deterring Russia’s aggression in the future. This will be done through the continued provision of security assistance and modern military equipment, across the land, air, sea, space, and cyber-electromagnetic domains, with the focus on Ukraine’s most urgent needs by promoting increased interoperability with Euro-Atlantic partners.
- Alongside other international partners, Lithuania will help Ukraine to enhance its deterrence to external aggressors by supporting the development of modern security and defence forces according to the Future Forces design that are increasingly interoperable with NATO and contribute to the NATO pool of forces. This includes development of a modern defence sector in Ukraine, and a pathway to future in NATO through Lithuania’s support to:
- reforms’ advisers to the Ministry of Defence (MoD) of Ukraine and General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine;
- training of military and law enforcement personnel, including the train-the-trainer programs;
- engaging in cooperation to develop Ukraine’s system of military education to align it with NATO principles and standards;
- strengthening the integrity of the defence sector of Ukraine;
- participation in Capabilities’ Coalitions and other formats to enhance Ukraine’s capabilities and right of self-defence;
- donation of lethal and non-lethal support packages for urgent needs;
- exploring options to assist in accumulation of ample stockpiles needed for Ukraine to repel possible future aggressions;
- rehabilitation and medical treatment of Ukrainian soldiers,
- repair of military equipment.
15. Lithuania will continue providing long-term advice and support for defence governance and policies in order to strengthen the MoD of Ukraine. Lithuania remains committed to continued provision of assistance to the MoD of Ukraine on defence reforms. As per Ukraine’s request, Lithuanian national security advisers continued their work during the war and will continue their efforts as long as it is needed for Ukraine. The main areas of advice include: 1) professional military education, 2) human resource management, 3) command and control, 4) cyber defence, and 5) military capability development.
16. Lithuania will jointly lead the Demining Capability Coalition and will seek to make a significant contribution to Ukraine’s demining efforts. The Demining Capability Coalition aims, firstly, to respond to urgent and immediate mine clearance needs of the MoD and security and defence forces of Ukraine and, secondly, to assist in the development of modern, up-to-date demining capabilities as the long-term objective (“equip, train, sustain”). Like other capability coalitions, the Demining Capability Coalition will focus on building feasible, enduring, demining units in line with Western standards and with appropriate maintenance and repair structures. The Public Institution of the Republic of Lithuania “Central Project Management Agency” is assigned to implement procurements and manage fund for Demining Coalition activities, unless otherwise agreed by Demining Coalition partners in agreements or arrangements regarding the Demining Coalition.
The Parties will continue to work in ensuring and further developing humanitarian demining activities by engaging relevant units of law enforcement institutions, including through training initiatives and the deployment of specialised humanitarian demining teams.
17. The Parties agree that all procurements that are necessary for fulfilment of Demining Capability Coalition and involving defence or security aspects will follow specific procedural rules for awarding the contracts, including, but not limited to, rules on transparency, criteria on invitation to negotiate, negotiated procedure rules and requirements, verification of the suitability and choice of suppliers and award of contracts, and review procedures. Procedural rules for awarding the contracts will be established by:
- competent authorities of Ukraine and Lithuania, together with other partners in the international agreements or arrangements for fulfilment of the Demining Capability Coalition,
- Public Institution of the Republic of Lithuania “Central Project Management Agency” will follow these procedural rules while implementing procurements involving defence or security aspects within the scope of Demining Capability Coalition.
18. Lithuania remains committed to the development and strengthening of the trilateral Lithuanian-Polish-Ukrainian Brigade LITPOLUKRBRIG aimed at sharing Western practice and procedures with Ukrainian military personnel and exporting NATO military working culture to Ukrainian military units.
19. Lithuania will re-open its military training mission in Ukraine in the future, thus adding to its overall national and international training efforts of Ukrainian military personnel.
20. The Parties will cooperate, where practicable, in the domain of maritime security, in accordance with the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea and other international legal instruments. Lithuania will seek to support Ukraine in the development of Ukraine’s naval capabilities.
21. Intelligence and Counterintelligence
The Parties will continue to deepen their intelligence and counterintelligence cooperation, in accordance with the framework based on bilateral agreements, in order to detect, prevent, and deter Russian or other hostile state or non-state actors’ subversive activities to secure Ukraine and Lithuania from such malign activities. This will be achieved through, but not limited to, intelligence and experience sharing, as well as cooperation between intelligence and security agencies of the Parties, including pursuing joint initiatives and trainings.
22. Cyber:
- The Parties will work together to maintain close cooperation in the cyber security and cyber defence sphere to prevent, detect, deter, and counter Russian and any other cyber aggression, cyber espionage and hybrid warfare as well as to identify and deter the irresponsible and malicious using of cyber capabilities by any state and non-state actors against the Parties. This will be achieved through enhanced cyber resilience, critical infrastructure protection, and provision of technical assistance to Ukraine.
- The Parties recognise the need to concentrate joint efforts and pool technical, financial, and human resources with the ultimate objective to ensure appropriate response in case of major national or international cyber incidents, where feasible, making use of multinational cyber defence capabilities.
- The Parties will work on the creation of a mechanism for the prompt provision of expert services in the field of cybersecurity, including through the exchange of information on cyber threats and attacks as well as the latest situation awareness and data during large-scale cyber incidents.
23. The Parties will share experience in creating and developing in-house Research and Development cyber security products and seek mutually beneficial cooperation in the framework of joint work at the Regional Cyber Defence Centre in Lithuania.
24. Countering Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear CBRN Risks
The Parties intend to further expand their existing bilateral cooperation to strengthen their resilience against nuclear, biological, and chemical weapons-related risks. Lithuania intends to explore avenues of support to Ukraine in developing its civil protection capabilities and resilience against CBRN-related risks.
25. Ukraine’s Commitments:
- Seeking to assist Lithuania in strengthening its deterrence and defence against Russia’s potential future aggression, Ukraine will cooperate with Lithuania in sharing its accumulated knowledge and experience based on the combat missions and operations acquired during the full-scale Russian war of aggression It is anticipated that Ukrainian lessons learned from the war with Russia will be of significant value while developing defence strategies as well as military capabilities for Lithuania’s self-defence.
- The Parties will seek to ensure that Ukraine’s military capabilities are at such a level that, in the event of external military aggression against Lithuania, Ukraine is able to provide effective military assistance. The Parties will determine the terms, the format, and the scope of such assistance in their bilateral arrangements.
- Ukraine will ensure that Lithuania’s military assistance is used exclusively for Ukraine’s defence in accordance with the principles of the UN Charter and is to be used by the security and defence forces of Ukraine in accordance with international law, including international humanitarian law and human rights law. The Parties will cooperate to prevent the diversion and the illegal circulation of military material provided to Ukraine.
26. Defence Industry Cooperation
Ukraine and Lithuania will work to transform Ukraine’s defence industry into a powerful capability enabling Ukraine to restore its territorial integrity, serving as a major driver in economic recovery and being an essential part of effective deterrence against the future attempts of aggression to ensure peace and prosperity for Ukraine, Lithuania, and the whole Europe.
Lithuania will continue to make efforts to bring together national and Ukrainian defence industries, whether in the form of joint ventures, co-investment, scaling or localisation of production, or collaborative defence projects. These efforts will include creating an attractive environment for cooperation in the area of research and development seeking to apply the Ukrainian lessons learned from the war that could be of value while developing and/or manufacturing new products of military or dual use. To that end, Lithuania will work with Ukraine to identify the most impactful investment areas and strengthen efforts to reduce the existing barriers for cooperation.
Lithuania will work with Ukraine to address the existing defence materials supply chain bottlenecks impeding the developing capacity and capability of both Ukraine and Lithuania for manufacturing of priority weapons and ammunition.
Lithuania will work with Ukraine to identify funding sources required to enable the development of Ukraine’s defence industrial base, which will include providing investment and financial assistance, in particular, in the time of war and post-war recovery.
Lithuania will support Ukraine’s efforts to integrate its defence industry into NATO and the EU defence and security frameworks. In particular, Lithuania will support Ukraine’s defence industry integration into the European defence technological and industrial base, considering also the opportunities provided by the European Defence Industrial Strategy and European Defence Industry Programme.
27. Defence Innovation Cooperation
Ukraine and Lithuania will encourage information exchange on their respective defence-related research and development efforts to implement joint projects and programs to develop new defence solutions.
Ukraine will cooperate with Lithuania in sharing its accumulated knowledge and experience based on the combat missions and operations, which involves: drones, anti-drone systems; optics, optoelectronics and lasers; sensor technologies; gunpowder, and explosives.
Ukraine will cooperate with Lithuania in Research & Development & Innovations and provide the testing grounds for the technology implementation in the above-mentioned areas.
The Parties hereby express their mutual intention to establish a Defence Industry Council on innovations in the military field, which will encompass innovative solutions addressing a range of challenges, including, but not limited to, landmines and unexploded ordnance, unmanned systems, counter-drone systems or counter-unmanned aerial systems, and other pertinent areas. This Council will serve as a collaborative platform for the exchange of expertise, exploration of advanced technologies, and creation of strategies aimed at enhancing military capabilities and efficiency through innovation.
Part IV. Non-Military Security
28. Cooperation in the Sphere of Building Resilience, Including against Hybrid Actions and Diversion Operations
Lithuania will share its experience on building resilience to economic coercion and other malign impact by authoritarian states.
The Parties recognise that the Russian Federation continues to manipulate information in support of its war against Ukraine and will collaborate to improve Ukraine’s capabilities to counter information security threats such as Russian and any other information manipulation, malign propaganda and disinformation campaigns affecting national security, as well to continue the exchange of expertise and cooperation in the field of fighting Foreign Information Manipulation and Interference, including through the joint work in this area in the Lublin Triangle format and educational and training programs for experts.
Agreeing that corruption is one of the threats to national security, well-functioning democracy, and the rule of law, the Parties will work on supporting each other’s efforts to make their legal and political systems more resilient to corruption-related threats to national security.
29. Support to Ukraine’s Energy Sector
Lithuania will continue to assist Ukraine in restoring its damaged and destroyed energy infrastructure, providing all available equipment, means, or other necessary materials and resources.
Acknowledging the importance of the decentralisation of energy generation and distribution systems, and the liberalisation of energy markets, Lithuania is ready to provide assistance in modernising Ukrainian energy system in compliance with the EU standards.
Lithuania will share its experience with Ukraine on the development of renewable energy sector, as well as on energy efficiency, and other clean energy technologies.
30. Financial and Humanitarian Support
Lithuania will continue active cooperation with donors, primarily the EU, NATO, G7, and international financial organisations, by contributing to their programs of assistance to Ukraine and by promoting the needs of support to Ukraine. Lithuania will effectively coordinate with other donors so that the support provided to Ukraine is effective and meets Ukraine’s needs. Since February 2022 until March 2024, Lithuania has contributed or committed to contribute to Ukraine over EUR 90 million via EU support instruments, instruments managed by international financial institutions, as well as on the bilateral basis. Lithuania is determined to provide further contributions through the above-mentioned instruments and on the bilateral basis in similar volumes during the duration of this Agreement.
31. Rehabilitation of Military and Law Enforcement Personnel
In consultation with Ukrainian institutions, Lithuania will prepare a dedicated program for recovery, rehabilitation, and reintegration support for seriously wounded Ukrainian soldiers and law enforcement officers.
Part V. Support to Ukraine’s European and Euro-Atlantic Integration and Reform Agenda
32. The Parties agree that Ukraine’s membership in the EU and NATO will contribute to the security and stability in the region. Lithuania will continue to support Ukraine’s membership in the EU by sharing its EU integration experience and supporting ongoing reforms based on the principles of democracy, the rule of law, good governance, and European values. Lithuania will continue to support Ukraine’s membership in NATO by supporting the ongoing priority reforms as recommended by NATO.
33. Lithuania will also support Ukraine in building the capacities of Ukrainian institutions to implement the necessary reforms providing technical and expert support, including for the process of the accession negotiations, and the coordination of the EU-integration-related issues.
34. Reforms in the Area of Law Enforcement, Including Police and Border Protection
The Parties will closely cooperate in the area of Integrated Border Management with a view to help Ukraine to adopt European Union border protection standards and practices. This cooperation will include, but will not be limited to, the organisation of missions, trainings, practical workshops, exchange of experts, and the provision of material and other assistance.
The Parties will further endeavour to jointly fight against transnational crime, in particular, smuggling of firearms and ammunition, as well as trafficking in human beings, and identification of assets that may be seized in respective criminal proceedings, through information, analysis, and best practises sharing, as well as training on combating serious and organised crime and illicit finance aimed at undermining Ukraine’s sovereignty, territorial integrity, and internal stability.
The Parties will share experience in the area of civil protection and civil defence, with particular focus on preparedness and resilience.
The Parties intend to strengthen their cooperation in the field of customs.
The Parties will work together to support Ukraine in the field of resilience, restoration, and protection of the critical infrastructure, including in transport and logistics, as well as energy supply sector, including by military means, prioritising, but not limited to, modern air defence capabilities and electronic warfare, access of Ukrainian specialists to relevant international programs and projects on its territory and in the partner countries. These efforts encompass improvements of regulatory frameworks, identifying best practices, launching of joint educational and training programs for specialists, organising missions and other initiatives on setting requirements for protection of critical infrastructure, development of contingency plans, inter-institutional response mechanisms.
35. Justice Reforms
Lithuanian institutions will share with Ukraine their experience and best practices in:
- ensuring proper and efficient functioning of the judiciary and courts and access to justice, through judicial map reforms, effective regulation, and distribution of the workload of the courts, and other regulatory measures, which ensure effective use of the resources allocated to the courts;
- increasing public trust in justice institutions, through openness and transparent activities of the courts, and creating people-centred justice system;
- ensuring independence and resilience of the judiciary, through an effective system of guarantees regarding the inviolability of the duration of judge’s mandate, the inviolability of judge’s person, as well as the social (material) guarantees, and through effective anti-corruption environment;
- establishing the regulatory framework of the use of digital and modern technologies in court proceedings, in order to make legal procedures more effective and improve accessibility and availability of the justice system.
36. Fighting Corruption
Lithuanian anti-corruption institutions will support Ukrainian counterparts and share their experience in the field of fighting corruption. Lithuania is ready to share its experience and expertise in national policy making in the areas of anti-corruption and corruption prevention, such as regulating and preparing national anti-corruption measures, ensuring legislative transparency, and establishing a legal framework for whistle-blowers and their protection.
Part VI. Cooperation in Just Peace, sanctions and accountability areas
37. Just Peace
Stopping Russia’s aggression in Ukraine is paramount to future stability and security in Europe and the Euro-Atlantic area.
The Parties remain committed to working towards just and lasting peace based on Ukraine’s sovereignty and restored territorial integrity within its internationally recognised borders.
Lithuania welcomes and remains committed to supporting Ukraine’s efforts for a just and sustainable peace, also based on the principles of Ukraine’s Peace Formula, and through participation in the Ukraine’s Peace Formula, including its inaugural Summit, and its implementation.
38. Sanctions
The Parties acknowledge that properly implemented sanctions have a significant impact on the Russian economy and are an effective tool to limit Russia’s and its proxies’ revenue streams, as well as their access to the financing, goods, technologies, and services, which they need to carry out the military aggression against Ukraine.
The Parties will actively contribute towards further strengthening of the European Union’s restrictive measures against Russia and entities both inside and outside Russia that support Russia’s military aggression or circumvent sanctions in the third countries, as long as Russia continues its military aggression against Ukraine, or does not withdraw from Ukrainian territory and compensate for the damage caused to Ukraine.
The Parties will undertake decisive national and regional actions to ensure strict implementation of sanctions, export controls and targeted fight against the circumvention of sanctions in all its forms, including the imposition of effective, proportional and dissuasive criminal sanctions on entities that violate or evade EU sanctions. In line with Lithuania’s legislation, fines collected for the circumvention of the sanctions are reserved for the recovery and reconstruction of Ukraine.
Lithuania remains committed to applying and strengthening regional approach towards uniform implementation of sanctions as an effective way disrupting Russia’s capability to procure goods and technologies to support its war of aggression against Ukraine. Lithuania will continue its active engagement and cooperation with countries at the external border of the European Union with Russia and Belarus in this regard.
The Parties will, in accordance with their respective obligations, regularly exchange up-to-date information on the imposition and implementation of sanctions, as well as on the prevailing patterns of the circumvention of sanctions, and other relevant information, in compliance with respective obligations and national laws.
39. Accountability
Understanding that achieving sustainable peace is impossible without justice, the Parties underline the importance of holding Russia, its political and military leadership, and their accomplices accountable for crimes under international law committed in or against Ukraine, first and foremost, the crime of aggression, as well as for the massive damage caused to individuals and entities, as well as to the state of Ukraine, as a result of its internationally wrongful acts in Ukraine or against Ukraine, including its aggression in violation of the UN Charter.
The crime of aggression is the supreme international crime and the origin of all the other international crimes committed in or against Ukraine. The Parties remain committed to continuing their joint efforts in the Core Group on options for the establishment of a tribunal on the crime of aggression against Ukraine and other European as well as international formats to establish a fully-fledged international Special Tribunal for the Prosecution of the Crime of Aggression against Ukraine as the most effective way to bring the leadership of Russia and its accomplices to justice.
Lithuania will continue contributing to the investigation of war crimes, crimes against humanity, and other international crimes, and holding the aggressors and their accomplices accountable.
Lithuania remains committed to supporting national as well as international prosecution efforts, including those of the International Criminal Court, the Office of the Prosecutor General of Ukraine, and in the framework of the Joint Investigative Team and the International Centre for the Prosecution of the Crime of Aggression against Ukraine (ICPA), by providing financial and expertise assistance.
The Parties will continue participating in the international judicial procedures that contribute to the development of the international law with an aim to ensure accountability for the most serious international crimes, including the crime of aggression, committed in or against Ukraine.
40. Compensation for Damage, Loss or Injury Caused by Russian Aggression
The Parties reaffirm that Russia must pay for the long-term reconstruction of Ukraine. Lithuania, working with its partners, will continue to explore all lawful routes consistent with applicable contractual obligations and in accordance with EU and international law, through which Russian assets can and should be transferred to Ukraine to support its defence, recovery, and reconstruction.
As a priority, the Parties will continue to work together, along with G7 states and others, towards the establishment of a compensation mechanism to provide compensation for damage, loss or injury caused by Russia’s aggression, as envisaged by the Statute of the Register of Damage Caused by the Aggression of the Russian Federation against Ukraine adopted by the Resolution of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe CM/Res(2023)3. In this regard, the Parties will explore appropriate options as to how immobilised Russian assets could be utilised for the financing of a compensation mechanism to provide prompt and adequate compensation to victims of aggression.
Part VII. Strengthening Ukraine’s Macroeconomic Stability by Contributing to Recovery and Reconstruction
Lithuania will continue its active engagement in Ukraine’s recovery and reconstruction, to which Lithuania has allocated EUR 24 million. Education, energy, and health have been chosen by Lithuania as the priority sectors: immediate rebuilding of educational institutions, medical facilities, critical energy infrastructure, and the development of rehabilitation services are of crucial importance. Other sectors for Lithuanian contribution might be chosen as well, based on Ukrainian needs and on the availability of relevant Lithuanian expertise. Lithuania will provide technical support for preparation of projects and will aim to develop schemes enabling Lithuania’s private sector’s engagement in Ukraine’s reconstruction.
Part VIII. Cooperation in the Event of a Future Armed Attack
In the event of Russia’s armed future attack against any of the Parties, as well as in the event of significant escalation of the ongoing aggression, at the request of either of the Parties, the Parties will consult within 24 hours, bilaterally, or via other channels they both deem suitable, in order to determine appropriate next steps.
In case of future attack against Ukraine, Lithuania will consult on Ukraine’s needs as it exercises its right of self-defence enshrined in Article 51 of the UN Charter and in accordance with its legal and constitutional requirements, will provide swift security, military, and economic assistance. Lithuania will also initiate efforts to impose economic and other costs on Russia.
In order to ensure the widest and most effective collective response to any future armed attack, Ukraine and Lithuania may amend these provisions in order to align with any mechanism that Ukraine may subsequently agree with its other international partners, including the participants in the G7 Declaration of 12 July 2023.
Part IX. Final Provisions
41. Executive and Technical Agreements
If necessary, the Parties may designate authorised bodies for the development and implementation of this Agreement in specific areas of cooperation. The authorised bodies of the Parties can conclude executive and technical arrangements on specific areas of cooperation within the framework of the implementation of this Agreement.
In accordance with the G7 Declaration, the Parties share the opinion that this Agreement is without prejudice to Ukraine pursuing a pathway toward future membership in NATO.
The Parties intend this Agreement to remain in effect as Ukraine pursues its path to future membership in the Euro-Atlantic Community.
In the event that Ukraine becomes a member of NATO before the expiry of this Agreement, the Parties will decide on its future status.
42. Timeframe of the Agreement
This Agreement will remain in force for the period of ten (10) years from the date of its signature.
The Parties can jointly decide to extend this Agreement through notification no later than 6 months prior to the lapse of the 10-year period.
This Agreement will be reviewed after 5 years of implementation. It can also be anytime amended and supplemented, including by adding annexes thereto, by mutual consent of the Parties, which will be made in writing.
The provisions of this Agreement will come into effect immediately upon the signature.
Any disputes between the Parties arising out of the interpretation and/or implementation of the Agreement will be settled through negotiation or consultation between the Parties.
This Agreement may be terminated by either Party at any time. They should inform the other Party by giving written notice to the other at least six months prior.
The termination will not affect the implementation of the ongoing activities or projects, whose implementation and/or application have commenced prior to the date of termination, unless the Parties decide otherwise.
Signed in Brussels on 27 June 2024, in duplicate, in English, Ukrainian, and Lithuanian languages, the English version of which will prevail in the event of any discrepancy.
For Ukraine: President Volodymyr Zelenskyy
For the Republic of Lithuania: President Gitanas Nausėda