Lithuania’s defense aid to Ukraine soon to exceed EUR 300M

Lithuanian Defense Minister Arvydas Anušauskas spoke of the assistance with Delfi, Ukrinform reports.

"For the next year, the scheduled aid amounts to about EUR 40 million. The purchase of new hardware and other equipment manufactured in Lithuania and required by Ukrainians is in plans. I don’t rule out that as part of the rearmament and modernization of the Lithuanian army, we will be able to hand over certain weapons," said the Lithuanian defense chief.

As the minister noted, such assistance includes air defense systems, light infantry arms, anti-tank weapons, mortars, machine guns, ammunition, as well as armored vehicles and howitzers. This includes 62 units of M113 armored personnel carriers. In addition, Lithuania transferred to Ukraine a large amount of Soviet-era weapons, which were especially necessary to repel the Russian invasion in the first days of unprovoked aggression.

"Ukrainians say that support from Lithuania was exactly what was needed. Especially at the initial stage, we were generally the first from whom they received help as we sent such help to Ukraine already on the second day of the war. It was practical, but also psychological and moral support for Ukraine, which Ukrainians themselves highly value as exceptional," said Arvydas Anušauskas.

The ministry's comment states that Lithuania continues to train Ukrainian servicemen. Currently, up to 400 Ukrainian troops are being trained in the country, and this work will be continued.

"We are ready to continue training Ukrainian soldiers and instructors in Lithuania next year as well. This includes courses for operators of anti-tank weapons, military engineers, demining, anti-aircraft defense courses, training for repair and maintenance of M113s, courses in psyops and cyber defense," the publication wrote, quoting a statement by the Lithuanian defense ministry.

In addition, according to the report, Lithuania will participate in the EU Military Assistance Mission, whose training centers have been deployed in several EU member states.

As reported earlier, Lithuania became one of the first countries that came to Ukraine's aid after the start of the Russian war of aggression, and today remains one of the nations that provide the largest aid to Ukraine, in proportion to national GDP.

Since the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the Baltic states have taken a tough and consistent position in providing Ukraine with all possible assistance from the EU in its fight against the invaders, as well as in supporting Ukraine's Euro-Atlantic aspirations.