Lithuanian parlt speaker off to UK to discuss war in Ukraine

VILNIUS – Viktorija Cmilyte-Nielsen, speaker of the Seimas, is leaving for the United Kingdom on Tuesday to discuss the ongoing war in Ukraine, the Lithuanian parliament's office said.

In London, Cmilyte-Nielsen is scheduled to meet with Sir Lindsay Hoyle, the House of Commons speaker, Tobias Elwood, chairman of the House of Commons Defense Select Committee, and members of All-Party Parliamentary Group on Lithuania. 

According to the speaker of the Seimas, the UK is a reliable and long-standing ally of Lithuania, especially in the context of Russia's war against Ukraine.

"I am going to London to strengthen inter-parliamentary cooperation between Lithuania and the United Kingdom," she said in a press release. 

"At this critical time for the security of Europe and NATO countries, we, the leaders of parliaments, must show leadership and contribute to important decisions in building up the unity and strength of the Alliance and ensuring continued support for Ukraine."

Cmilyte-Nielsen will deliver a welcoming speech and participate in a panel discussion on the war Ukraine, organized by the Eastern Europe Studies Centre, a Vilnius-based think-tank, and Chatham House. 

The Seimas delegation also includes Zygimantas Pavilionis, chairman of the parliamentary Committee on Foreign Affairs.