Lithuania to allocate EUR 40M in military aid to Ukraine next year – defense minister

Lithuanian Defense Minister Arvydas Anusauskas told this to the Delfi news site, Ukrinform reports.

"Next year, the planned support amounts to about 40 million euros. It is planned to purchase new equipment and similar things that are produced in Lithuania and are required by Ukrainians. What I would not rule out is that we, in implementing our plans to rearm and modernize the Lithuanian army, that we will be able to hand over certain weapons as well," the minister said.

According to him, the aid provided includes air defense systems, light infantry weapons, anti-tank weapons, mortars, machine guns, ammunition, as well as armored vehicles and howitzers, including 62 M113 armored personnel carriers.

In addition, Lithuania transferred to Ukraine a lot of Soviet-era weapons, which were necessary to counter Russian forces in the first days of a full-scale invasion.

"Ukrainians say... this is exactly what was necessary. Especially at the initial stage, we were generally the first from whom they received help. We sent aid to Ukraine on the second day after the war started," Anusauskas said.

Currently, Lithuania continues the training of Ukrainian soldiers. About 400 Ukrainian military specialists have been trained in the country's training centers, and this work will continue.

"We are ready to continue the training of Ukrainian servicemen and instructors in Lithuania next year too. This includes courses for operators of anti-tank weapons, military engineering, demining, CBRN courses, M113 APC maintenance and repair training, information operations and cyber defense courses," the Lithuanian Ministry of Defense said.

In addition, Lithuania will participate in the EU Military Assistance Mission in support of Ukraine (EUMAM), the training centers of which are deployed in several states.

Photo: Delfi