During a visit to Kyiv on Friday, Prime Minister Gintautas Paluckas and members of the Cabinet reaffirmed Lithuania’s unwavering support for Ukraine and discussed pressing issues of assistance and regional security with Ukrainian leaders. This is the first-ever Government-to-Government consultation between Ukraine and Lithuania. The visit was organized at the invitation of Ukraine’s Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal.
Prime Minister Gintautas Paluckas began the visit by paying tribute to Ukrainian soldiers who sacrificed their lives fighting for freedom. He later met with Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, and Speaker of the Verkhovna Rada Ruslan Stefanchuk.
‘This visit of a large Lithuanian delegation and my first visit abroad as Prime Minister, reaffirms Lithuania’s steadfast solidarity with Ukraine in the face of Russian aggression. Our support will continue until Ukraine’s victory and beyond. This support spans across all formats and sectors, and I am pleased that our ministers had the opportunity to discuss it directly today,’ said Prime Minister Paluckas.
The long-standing, close friendship and strategic partnership between Lithuania and Ukraine are also reflected in a Joint Statement signed by the Prime Ministers of both countries.
The Statement confirms the united resolve to end the Russian Federation’s illegal, unprovoked, and unjustified war of aggression against Ukraine and to restore Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognized borders, extending to its territorial waters. Ukraine’s victory remains the highest shared priority for Ukraine and Lithuania.
‘Pressuring Ukraine into a swift peace based on concessions to the aggressor would be not only immoral but also shortsighted. Such a peace would be a deceptive pause, a trap for both Ukraine and all of Europe—a temporary respite until Russia’s next act of aggression. Our priority is ensuring that Ukraine’s position is strengthened. Ukraine has never given reason to doubt its ability to prevail, so countries supporting Ukraine should remain equally resolute. Our aim is to help Ukrainians win, laying the groundwork for a sustainable and just peace in Europe,’ said Prime Minister Paluckas.
On Friday, the Prime Minister held detailed discussions with Ukrainian leaders on urgent military, humanitarian, economic, and political assistance needs. They also discussed the situation on the front lines and the broader security context in the region and Europe. The Prime Minister reiterated Lithuania’s firm support for Ukraine’s Victory Plan and expressed confidence in its achievement through the united efforts of Ukraine’s partners.
Lithuania’s continued support was emphasised as regards Ukraine’s fast and smooth European and Euro-Atlantic integration and the implementation of needed reforms. Prime Minister Gintautas Paluckas expressed hope that Ukraine’s EU membership negotiations on first accession chapters would begin in the first half of 2025. He added that without Ukraine’s membership in the EU and NATO, the vision of a united, free, and peaceful Europe would remain incomplete.
The importance of supporting Ukraine’s reconstruction and recovery was also noted, with Lithuania pledging continued leadership in this area and urging international partners not to wait for the war to end.
The meetings highlighted the need to intensify pressure on Russia and Belarus, strengthening sanctions and targeting evasion schemes.
Prime Minister Gintautas Paluckas pointed out that sanctioned and immobilized Russian assets must be used to compensate for damages caused by military aggression. He also advocated holding Russia, including its top leadership, accountable for crimes committed in Ukraine by establishing a Special International Tribunal.
The visit to Kyiv concluded with a visit to the Lithuanian Embassy, where Prime Minister Paluckas and Cabinet members expressed gratitude to the country’s diplomats and Embassy staff for their remarkable efforts under exceptionally challenging conditions.
The Joint Statement by the Prime Ministers of Lithuania and Ukraine.
