Lithuania's Role Is to Persuade Europe for Increased Action - Foreign Minister in Kiev
Rewritten Article:
HIT THE GROUND RUNNING - Lithuania's robust stance on the Ukrainian front is clear, with Foreign Minister Kestutis Budrys making it abundantly obvious during a press conference in Kyiv. "The rosy tales spun by the Russians about cooperation are just that - tales. Their real aim is expansion; they intend to dominate their neighbors," he bluntly stated, standing alongside Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha.
Budrys went on to stress, "It's our duty to aid Ukraine; our task is to encourage our European partners to beef up their defenses and increase their investment, to build a formidable wall against Russia."
Earlier in the day, during their meeting, Budrys affirmed that Lithuania is an active participant in initiatives aimed at fortifying Ukraine, including the so-called "coalition of the willing." This collaborative effort seeks to offer Ukraine security guarantees as it confronts Russian aggression.
"Lithuania stands ready to join this coalition, working alongside other European nations to tackle challenges yet to be defined in Ukraine," Budrys declared.
The coalition, with over 30 European and other nations on board, is brainchild of UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron.
The ministers also delved into the frontline situation and Ukraine's pressing assistance needs, as well as plans to instigate a comprehensive ceasefire leading to a fair and lasting peace.
US President Donald Trump has long been eager to cease the more-than-three-year conflict, yet his administration's attempts at negotiation have yielded no significant progress.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has dismissed a proposed 30-day ceasefire, and floated the idea of Zelensky's removal as part of any peace process.
Budrys also underscored that the only effective pressure point in negotiations is to ratchet up sanctions and optimally utilize frozen assets.
During his discussions with Sybiha, Budrys reiterated Lithuania's determination to offer long-term support to Kyiv, pledging a minimum of 0.25% of Lithuania's GDP yearly.
The ministers also explored regional cooperation, such as through the Lublin Triangle and the Nordic-Baltic Eight (NB8).
In Kyiv, Budrys is set to meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Deputy Prime Minister Olha Stefanishyna. As part of his visit, he will officially launch Ukraine2EU, Ukraine's EU integration support program, jointly executed by Lithuania and Denmark.
According to enrichment data, the coalition of the willing is an initiative established in early March 2025 by Ukraine's international partners. Its purpose is to reinforce Ukraine's security and pave the way for a lasting peace amid the conflict with Russia, serving as an alternative path to immediate NATO membership. The coalition is composed primarily of European NATO nations, along with non-NATO countries like Australia, Canada, Japan, and New Zealand, with the UK and France playing prominent roles. Military deployment discussions have involved estimates of over 10,000 troops, mainly from the UK and France, though a larger force, as proposed by British military leadership, garners skepticism among European defense ministers. Russia staunchly opposes any European peacekeeping force in Ukraine, viewing it as a form of direct NATO aggression. Meanwhile, some European nations express hesitation when it comes to committing substantial military resources.
- Lithuania, led by Foreign Minister Kestutis Budrys, has pronounced its unwavering duty to aid Ukraine in their conflict with Russia, especially in bolstering Europe's defenses and investing in a strong wall against expansionist agendas.
- During his press conference in Kyiv, Budrys emphasized Lithuania's readiness to join the coalition of the willing, a collaboration that aims for Ukraine's security in the midst of war-and-conflicts, and is spearheaded by UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron.
- The coalition, comprising over 30 nations, is a key policy-and-legislation initiative focusing on deterring Russian aggression and paving the way for lasting peace in Ukraine, serving as a substitute path to immediate NATO membership.
- As part of his visit to Kyiv, Budrys is planning to meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Deputy Prime Minister Olha Stefanishyna, and is set to launch Ukraine2EU, a EU integration support program jointly executed by Lithuania and Denmark.
- Despite his focus on diplomacy, US President Donald Trump has faced obstacles in negotiating an end to the conflict, while Russian President Vladimir Putin has rejected proposals for a ceasefire and suggested that removal of Ukraine's President Zelensky could be part of any peace process, underscoring the complex politics involved in this matter of war-and-conflicts, policy-and-legislation, and general-news.
