Ukrainian volunteers ready to help Lithuania amid hybrid war – expert

This opinion was expressed by Director of the International Center for Combating Russian Propaganda Yuri Kochevenko at an international round table on the topic: “Attack of migrants. New forms of hybrid aggression” held at Ukrinform news agency on August 11.

“I am sure that hundreds of Ukrainian volunteers are ready to go to Lithuania and help it protect its borders and territorial integrity if necessary. If such a need arises, and the Government of Lithuania will declare this need,” Kochevenko said.

Lithuania is a faithful ally and advocate of Ukraine in the international arena, so our country should also help it in difficult times, he noted.

“Lithuania has provided unprecedented support to Ukraine over the past years. And few countries can come up close to this level of support. Lithuanian citizens have fought for Ukraine, Lithuanian officers have trained our service members, provided financial and technical assistance, treated and rehabilitated the wounded. And it is difficult to find a greater advocate for international support for Ukraine in the EU and NATO. I am convinced that when the Republic of Lithuania itself has faced such a crisis, we should prove to be the most friendly and allied country,” the expert stressed.

The roundtable participants noted that Lithuania had been the target of a hybrid attack by Russian and Belarusian special services in recent weeks. Hundreds of migrants, deliberately sent from Belarus, try to cross the Lithuanian border every night. The Government declared a state of emergency and accused the Belarusian authorities of hybrid aggression against Europe.

At the same time, an information operation is being carried out in the territory of Lithuania in order to destabilize the socio-political situation. Kremlin-linked political forces and media outlets accuse the Government of losing control over the situation and urge to make concessions to the Lukashenko regime.

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