Lithuanian formin thanks diplomats for their principled support for Ukraine

VILNIUS – Lithuanian Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis has thanked diplomats for their principled work and contribution to pooling international support for Ukraine and supporting the existing sanction policy against Russia for attacking Ukraine.

On Monday, on the occasion of the 104th anniversary of Lithuania's diplomatic service, Landsbergis congratulated Lithuanian diplomats and all those who work and are working in the diplomatic service and "thanked them for their focused work and principled attitude in a very difficult period for the whole world", the Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

The unprecedented war launched by Russia in Ukraine has created a whole new set of challenges and prompted Lithuanian diplomats to act swiftly and dynamically to pool all possible assistance to Ukraine, Landsbergis said.

"Over the past year, we have devoted a great deal of time and energy to manage the crises that authoritarian regimes have created and tried to drag the world into. These crises and challenges have often pushed us into new and uncharted territory of political action. They have tested – and streamlined – our values. They have forced us to grow, to learn new and mobilize forgotten skills," the foreign minister said.

In his words, in the face of these challenges, it’s vital to act swiftly, dynamically and creatively "to prevent ourselves from being swamped by the waves of the crisis".

"Our focused work and principled foreign policy posture have brought Lithuania to the world's increasing attention. By working together, we are writing Lithuania's new history," Lithuania's top diplomat said.

Lithuania is a leading country in consolidating international support for Ukraine, Landsbergis pointed out.

"We have been and we are the architects of the European Union's sanction against Russia. We are constantly working with our partners, explaining to them to the best of our ability that there can be no issue of fatigue of providing support to Ukraine," the foreign minister said.