Nausėda: Lithuania stands together with US in pursuit of freedom and justice

“We know the price of freedom better than anyone else. That is why we cannot watch indifferently as authoritarian regimes ignore international law, violate international treaties more and more frequently, and show open contempt for fundamental human rights and freedoms,” the president said.

Nausėda stressed that Russia’s war against Ukraine was a reminder of the importance of zero tolerance for any attempts to undermine the independence of sovereign states and their territorial integrity, as stipulated by the Sumner Welles Declaration of 1940.

“In order to stop the spread of militarism, revanchism and aggression within the international community, Ukraine needs to win this war. And we must help it,” the president added.

According to Nausėda, Lithuania, together with the US, is prepared to seek more freedom, justice, and the rule of law in the world. The president expressed his hope that the time-tested friendship and cooperation between the two countries would continue to grow and strengthen.

On 28 July 1922, the United States officially recognised the independent state of Lithuania, and on 23 July 1940, Benjamin Sumner Welles, who was serving as acting US Secretary of State, issued a declaration in which the United States expressed its support for Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia, and rejected their annexation and occupation by the Soviet Union.