Lithuania can and must help Ukraine, says President Grybauskaitė in Kiev

“Today Ukraine is facing huge challenges – part of its territory is torn off, soldiers and civilians are being killed in the war in its eastern region. At the same time, this country has to implement difficult but necessary reforms. This is a difficult time for Ukraine. And we must and can help it,” the president said.

During the working visit in Kiev, Grybauskaitė met with Ukraine’s President Petro Poroshenko and should give a joint news conference later on Monday, the Lithuanian President’s Office said.

The Lithuanian president underlined the importance for Ukraine to implement without delay the provisions of the EU Association Agreement, including deep and comprehensive free trade area, as well as to deliver other necessary reforms. Lithuania has always supported and will continue to support the choice of the Ukrainian people. Our country can offer the needed expert assistance in the economic, legal, energy, transport and other spheres.

In Grybauskaitė’s words, in the light of ongoing military attacks against Ukraine security and defence cooperation is especially important. Lithuania receives injured Ukrainian soldiers for rehabilitation, provides food, clothes and medical aid, and is ready to increase its assistance in the near future, reads the press release.

To impart Lithuania’s accumulated experience in building modern armed forces, it is planned to invite more Ukrainian soldiers to study at the Military Academy of Lithuania, conduct joint military exercises, and to complete the formation of the trilateral brigade of Lithuania, Ukraine and Poland, the President’s Office said.