Lithuania continues to strongly voice support for Ukraine – PM Šimonytė
Ukraine can count on Lithuania’s strong voice in support of further sanctions against Russia, military assistance and its way towards EU membership.
The relevant statement was made by Lithuanian Prime Minister Ingrida Šimonytė at a briefing during her visit to Ukraine, an Ukrinform correspondent reports.
“My visit started with a trip to Borodianka. No words can possibly describe what I saw and what I felt. And I was witnessing only a small part of evidence, of the crimes against humanity that were committed by Russia in Ukraine,” Šimonytė told.
In her words, this war is designed by Putin, but it is also carried out by hundreds of Russian officers who give orders, by tens of thousands of Russian troops who obey them, or resort to unspeakable violence, just because they think they can.
“This war and its masterminds are approved and endorsed, unfortunately, by millions of Russian citizens, who voted for Putin, who express their support in interviews and polls, who do not rally,” Šimonytė noted.
According to Šimonytė, the images of ruined Ukrainian cities and towns revealed the real face of 21st century Russia, of the ‘Russian world’ they try to forcefully impose on the nations they chose to call hostile or, worse even, brotherly.
Šimonytė stressed that all the atrocities committed by the Russian army in Ukraine must be thoroughly documented, and the executors must be brought to international justice.
“Lithuania will help Ukraine as much as it can in documenting crimes, identifying fallen victims and aggressors,” Šimonytė added.
Lithuania will also continue to provide safe if temporary home to Ukrainians who had to flee the war. Currently, a total of 42,000 Ukrainians have already come to Lithuania, mostly women and children.
“Our people and my government are doing everything to help people from Ukraine feel supported and welcome in Lithuania,” Šimonytė said.
In addition, Lithuanian trucks continue to deliver military and humanitarian aid to Ukraine, provided by the Lithuanian government, businesses and people.
“As always, you can count on our strong voice in support of further strengthening of any sanctions against Russia and Belarus. All Russian banks must be disconnected from SWIFT. Imports of Russian energy must stop. And any business ties with Russia must eventually seize. […] Ukraine can count on our full support and assistance on your way towards EU membership,” Šimonytė noted, adding that today Ukraine is fighting not only for itself but for the whole free world.
A reminder that Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal and Lithuanian Prime Minister Ingrida Šimonytė paid a visit to Borodianka to see the effects of war crimes committed by Russian troops.
Photo: Delfi
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