The president said he had come to the capital of free and independent Ukraine to thank the Ukrainian people for defending their country – and democratic Europe – so forcefully.
Nausėda stressed that Lithuania has always stood and will continue to stand with Ukraine.
“We have been through too much together and endured too much injustice to watch each other’s suffering with indifference. Therefore, today Lithuania supports Ukraine with all possible means, providing – now and until victory – military, humanitarian and financial assistance,” the president said, addressing the Verkhovna Rada in Lithuanian and Ukrainian.
He underlined that since the beginning of the war, Lithuania has been united by a strong desire to help Ukraine. Not only state authorities and municipal institutions, but also ordinary Lithuanian people, businesses and non-governmental organisations have joined the effort to help war-torn Ukraine in any way they can.
“We are fully aware of the threat posed by Russia’s imperial ambitions to the security of the entire region. Historical experience tells us that the Moscow tyrant must be stopped early in time. We cannot afford to repeat old mistakes. Lithuania will therefore continue working with partners and allies to keep the West mobilised, ensure long-term support for Ukraine and limit Russia’s ability to continue this war,” the president said.
According to the president, it is clear today that the decisions to impose international sanctions and provide military support to Ukraine, however important they may be, are still not enough. Therefore, Lithuania and its like-minded partners will continue working to strengthen sanctions and ensure their effective implementation, as well as to reduce Europe’s dependence on Russian energy resources. The financial flows that help Moscow to fund this brutal war must be stopped.
“Lithuania will also work to bring the Russian state and those responsible for war crimes, violations of international law and human rights in Ukraine to justice. Indiscriminate attacks against unarmed civilians, children and public facilities – schools, day nurseries, hospitals – cannot go unpunished. I believe that justice will triumph,” the president said.
Nausėda praised the ability of the Ukrainian authorities to operate as efficiently as possible in a wartime environment, as well as to fully deliver the necessary reforms that have secured EU candidate status for Ukraine.
“Lithuania’s experience shows that a broad political consensus is an essential precondition for successful European integration. It is especially significant that this provision is enshrined in the Constitution of Ukraine. We will help Ukraine along this difficult path. We will continue to provide expert assistance and work together to accelerate the start of negotiations on European Union membership,” the president said.
The president also conferred the Order of Vytautas the Great with the Golden Chain on the Ukrainian president. This decoration, the highest award of the Lithuanian state, was bestowed on President Volodymyr Zelensky for his merits in defending freedom and democratic values in Europe together with the people of Ukraine.
