Lithuanian PM in Kyiv: you can count on Lithuania’s firm support – now and always

VILNIUS – Lithuanian Prime Minister Ingrida Simonyte paid a solidarity visit to Ukraine on Thursday and says Ukraine can count on Lithuania’s firm support.

During her meetings in Kyiv with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal and Speaker of the Verkhovna Rada Ruslan Stefanchuk, Simonyte underlined that Lithuania and Ukraine have enjoyed the strategic partnership strengthened by the shared history and the common need to withstand challenges.

"You can count on Lithuania’s firm support—now and always. The strategic partnership and true friendship between Ukraine and Lithuania have been proven many times, not only in words but also in deeds," the Lithuanian prime minister said.

In her words, Ukraine needs both political support and very concrete and practical assistance, the government said.

"Stinger anti-aircraft missiles and other military support from Lithuania will reach Ukraine in the coming days. I hope and sincerely wish that Ukraine will never use them," the prime minister said.

Lithuania is also increasing the number of military instructors as part of the Lithuanian military training mission in Ukraine and resuming the rehabilitation of Ukrainian soldiers in Lithuania.

On the second day of the visit, the Prime Ministers of Lithuania and Ukraine are to visit the Luhansk region.

"Lithuania supports Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, and it has never recognized the illegal annexation of Crimea by Russia, nor ever will. We have been and will continue to be supporters of Ukraine’s security and Euro-Atlantic aspirations, we will continue to support bilaterally and mobilize international support for Ukraine," Lithuanian prime minister said.

Russia now has over 100,000 troops and military equipment near Ukraine's borders, stoking fears in the West it plans to attack its neighbor, something that Moscow denies.