Lithuanian PM doesn't agree Ukraine left alone, but understands 'emotional background'

VILNIUS – Lithuanian Prime Minister Ingrida Simonyte said on Friday that she does not agree that Ukraine has been left on its own to fight Russia, but added that she understands the emotional background in which Volodymyr Zelensky said so.  

"I would not agree with the statement, but I fully understand the emotional background in which President Zelensky has to lead his country and his appeal to those world leaders who may not have completely lost their illusions that the situation can be de-escalated through some kind of talks to get rid of these illusions as quickly as possible," Simonyte told reporters. 

"I fully understand the president, but as far as we are concerned as a country, as a government, I think that Lithuania, the Lithuanian people and the authorities are doing a lot to help Ukraine," she added.

Zelensky said in an address to the nation in the early hours of Friday that his country had been left on its own to fight Russia after the Kremlin launched a large-scale invasion.

"Who is ready to fight alongside us? I don't see anyone," he said.

The Lithuanian prime minister also said that the government is palling to decide on additional support to Ukraine next week and continue to seek tighter sanctions against Russia. 

"There will be decisions from the government next week on medical aid and on other assistance that we can mobilize quickly and deliver to the people of Ukraine and to the responsible authorities quickly," Simonyte said. 

"We continue to pull the strings of our partners in other international organizations to press for the strongest possible sanctions and the strongest possible response to Putin's aggression," she added.

This year, Lithuania has already handed Stinger air defense systems, armored vests and thermal imaging equipment over to Ukraine and plans to supply it additionally with armored vests, helmets, Kalashnikov automatic rifles and ammunition.