“Sanctions against Russia must continue, the EU must adopt the 22nd sanctions package as soon as possible and finally target those sectors that would most painfully affect Russia’s war machine by cutting off its energy revenues and restricting access to the global financial system,” says the head of state.
This is what G. Nausėda said at the North and Baltic States (NB8) leaders’ meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Sunday.
According to the President, sanctions must also be tightened against third-country actors who help to circumvent them.
As reported by the Presidency, the head of state, among other things, emphasized that Lithuania supports Ukraine’s aspiration to become a full member of the EU by 2030.
According to G. Nausėda, this will be one of the priorities of Lithuania’s upcoming Presidency of the Council of the EU next year.
The NB8 leaders’ meeting with V. Zelensky took place on the day of the Ukrainian national flag, which is celebrated on August 23.
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“The NB8 and Ukraine platform is a suitable tool to learn from Ukraine’s experience. We appreciate that Ukraine shares valuable wartime experience, and we must fully utilize it – in the fields of defense, civil protection, resilience, and cybersecurity. We must also draw on Ukraine’s experience in military technology and production,” said G. Nausėda.
The contribution of NB8 countries accounts for 40 percent of all Western military aid to Ukraine.
Lithuania’s annual commitment to Ukraine’s defense amounts to no less than 0.25 percent of Lithuania’s gross domestic product – about 230 million euros per year. The value of our latest aid package is 42 million euros.
While visiting Kyiv, G. Nausėda will also participate in events dedicated to the 35th anniversary of Ukraine’s independence on Monday and in the Coalition of the Willing meeting.
The President is visiting Ukraine as Russia has recently intensified its bombing. The United Nations reports that in 2026 the number of civilian casualties reached the highest level since the beginning of the war.
