At the beginning of the meeting, the Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, Ruslan Stefanchuk, thanked the Lithuanian partners for their courage and support, especially during a full-scale war.
"Despite the shelling of Kyiv today, you again showed courage and visited Ukraine. We greatly appreciate your solidarity with our state and the Ukrainian people," he noted.
The Chairman of the Ukrainian Parliament noted Lithuania has supported the Peace Formula introduced by Volodymyr Zelensky, the President of Ukraine.
"For us, this is the only vision of a just end to the war. Ukraine, a victim of aggression, has the right to determine the terms of peace, and we are grateful to Lithuania for its unconditional support for this position," Ruslan Stefanchuk highlighted.
The Chairman of the Parliament separately emphasized the importance of Euro-Atlantic integration for Ukraine and Lithuania's support. He also emphasized the Victory Plan presented by the Ukrainian president.
"I am grateful that Lithuania supports this plan and understands that the main security measure for Ukraine is NATO membership. The Ukrainian army is already a NATO army de facto. It is time to turn this into a de jure one. Inviting Ukraine to the Alliance will be a fair geopolitical response to Russian aggression," the Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada noted.
Ruslan Stefanchuk also expressed gratitude for Ukraine's accession support to the European Union and Lithuania's advocacy on this path.
"We passed the candidacy period thanks to your help and support. Together, we opened negotiations and continued the path to full EU membership. We are grateful for your willingness to share your experience and help avoid mistakes along this path," the Speaker of the Ukrainian Parliament emphasized.
According to Ruslan Stefanchuk, all the support that Lithuania provides Ukraine, such as military, financial, and humanitarian, is quite significant for Ukraine. "Your decision to transfer 0.25% of GDP to the needs of Ukraine and your leadership position in supporting our state is an example for other governments," he added.
Separately, the Speaker of the Verkhovna Rada noted the importance of interparliamentary cooperation and the non-partisan support that Lithuania provides to Ukraine. "Regardless of which parties form the governments of Lithuania, support for Ukraine always remains a priority. It indicates true friendship and partnership between our countries," he underlined.
Deputy Speaker of the Verkhovna Rada, Olena Kondratiuk, emphasized that this visit is a landmark event. After all, it is the first time the entire Government of Lithuania has come to Ukraine. She thanked Lithuania for military, social, and humanitarian assistance and hoped to maintain warm, friendly, strategic relations with the new Lithuanian authorities.
"War has not only a military face but also has a female and children face. I always set an example for all European Union countries for the Lithuanian Government's support for school education and Ukrainian schools in Lithuania. We desire to continue such support and funding at the Government level. In particular, to have the opportunity for children to study in Ukrainian schools. Also, to provide medical care for women and children, which they had before. I was in the Ukrainian-Lithuanian hub, I would like it to continue its activities," Olena Kondratiuk noted.
The Vice-Speaker accentuated that Lithuania is an example of an increase in the defence budget, especially in support of our country.
"I always say that there are no small countries, but only those that are conscious and responsible and help Ukraine because they understand that this is assistance for justice, goodness, and security," said Olena Kondratiuk.
Lithuanian Prime Minister Gintautas Paluckas highlighted that despite the change of power in their country, the vision of future relations with Ukraine remains unchanged: "We see the future of Ukraine in NATO and the European Union. We will be with Ukraine until and after victory."
He also assured that Lithuania would work to ensure that its financial support for Ukraine would become an example for other EU member states.
At the end of the meeting, Ruslan Stefanchuk emphasized the importance of mutual support and expressed faith in a common victory:
"Such meetings are so important because we can exchange information and energy. I thank Lithuania and its people for their victorious work. I believe we will achieve such an important word as our common victory. Glory to Ukraine! Glory to Lithuania!" said the Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine at the end of the meeting.
