Today at 10:19
President Volodymyr Zelensky met with Lithuanian Defense Minister Robertas Kaunas to discuss Ukraine’s urgent defense needs and prospects for joint defense production, the President reported on Facebook,According to UATV English.
“Met with Lithuania’s Defense Minister Robertas Kaunas, who arrived in Ukraine for the first time since his recent appointment. We discussed Ukraine’s defense needs and the prospects for joint defense production. We also addressed the current diplomatic situation and the available opportunities for a just end to the war,” Zelenskyy wrote.
According to the President’s Office, Kaunas emphasized that Lithuania will support Ukraine for as long as necessary. Zelenskyy welcomed Lithuania’s consistent stance and its clearly defined support commitments.
“Thank you for coming. We truly value your support. We are grateful to the Lithuanian people above all. You’ve been with us since the very beginning. And my best regards to your President, my great friend Gitanas Nausėda,”
— Zelenskyy said.
The President highlighted Lithuania’s involvement in the PURL initiative and its significant contribution to the purchase of U.S.-made weapons.
“This program is extremely important for us to strengthen our ability to protect civilian infrastructure during missile and drone attacks. And we are grateful for your contributions to air defense, especially PAC-3 missiles,”
— he noted.
The meeting also focused on cooperation under the SAFE instrument, aimed at boosting Europe’s overall defense capabilities and strengthening Ukraine in particular.
As reported earlier, President Zelenskyy addressed the nation, stating that Ukraine may now face a difficult choice between losing a key partner or losing its dignity, and emphasized that he will work to maintain a constructive dialogue with Ukraine’s main ally.
