On Friday, September 13, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Andrii Sybiha received Minister of Foreign Affairs of Lithuania Gabrielius Landsbergis in Kyiv.

The Ukrainian Foreign Minister expressed his deep gratitude to Lithuania for its willingness to provide a quarter of the national GDP exclusively for the defense and security needs of Ukraine, as enshrined in the bilateral security agreement. 

“It is important that this figure will be included in the Lithuanian budget for 2025 and beyond. We are grateful to Lithuania for its financial and humanitarian support, assistance in reconstruction and recovery, and strengthening energy security,” the Minister emphasized.

According to the Minister, the priority for the free world should be to protect Ukraine and Ukrainians, not to protect the Russian aggressor from Ukrainian strength and long-range capabilities.

“Ukraine continues to work with partners on long-range capabilities, strengthening a reliable air shield, including the decision to shoot down Russian missiles and drones in Ukrainian skies, and lifting restrictions on the use of weapons,” the Foreign Minister said. 

Andrii Sybiha once again called on the allies to invest in the production of Ukrainian weapons for Ukrainian soldiers and said that Ukraine and Lithuania are already working together to purchase Ukrainian weapons for the needs of the Ukrainian Defense Forces.

The Minister stressed that Russia's total war against Ukraine should mean Russia's total isolation in the world.

“The sanctions pressure on Russia and its satellite states must be increased. Further progress is needed in the use of frozen Russian assets to support Ukraine. The aggressor must pay. It is only fair,” the Minister said. 

During the talks, the foreign ministers discussed Ukraine's membership in the EU and NATO. Andrii Sybiha noted that Lithuania provides maximum support to Ukraine on its path to EU and NATO membership and shares its own experience.

“We count on Lithuania's further assistance, in particular in consolidating the position of the allies. We need historic steps on our way to NATO. Ukraine is already de facto an integral part of the Euro-Atlantic security architecture. It's time to formalize this reality,” the Foreign Minister said. 

The Ukrainian Foreign Minister also emphasized that all Ukraine's efforts are aimed at achieving a comprehensive, just and lasting peace. 

“This is what we are working on together with Lithuania and other countries on the basis of President Zelenskyy's Peace Formula. Together, we encourage the countries of Asia, Africa, and Latin America to participate in the Peace Formula implementation—in the interests of all those who live and want to live in peace, and with confidence in the future,” the Minister emphasized.