The President participates in the Munich Security Conference

On Saturday, President Gitanas Nausėda participated in the panel discussion at the Munich Security Conference, "Holding the Line: Defending Europe and Supporting Ukraine."

In his speech, the President emphasized that defending Ukraine's territorial integrity, further strengthening military and humanitarian support, and advancing its EU membership are essential guarantees of political security.

"The continued strengthening of military support for Ukraine has to remain a strategic objective of the transatlantic community, ensuring the timely fulfillment of commitments and fair burden-sharing. A firm and active reaffirmation of the policy of non-recognition-neither de jure nor de facto recognition of Russia's occupation-is vital to Ukraine's security. Accelerating Ukraine's integration into the EU is the strongest non-military security guarantee we can offer. EU accession negotiations are a strategic lever for Ukraine's modernization and an important motivating factor," the President said.

The Lithuanian leader noted that pursuing illusions of a quick peace leads to weakening support for Ukraine. According to the President, it is not enough merely to continue current support- it is necessary for all to do more together.

Gitanas Nausėda recalled that at the national level, Lithuania is committed to providing Ukraine with military assistance amounting to at least 0.25 percent of GDP annually, with support reaching 0.28 percent of GDP last year. Lithuania also allocated USD 30 million to the PURL initiative last year, and a similar amount is planned for this year, along with an additional EUR 30 million for the Patriot air defense initiative.

According to the President, Russia's freedom of action will remain constrained as long as Ukraine continues to fight for its own-and our-freedom and security. "Therefore, I once again call on us to stand shoulder to shoulder and take a more responsible approach to supporting Ukraine. This is an urgent appeal to the entire transatlantic community. Let us demonstrate solidarity through fair burden-sharing. Let us remain united," the Lithuanian leader underlined.

The debate "Holding the Line: Defending Europe and Supporting Ukraine" also included the participation of German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius, Polish Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski, Ukrainian Deputy Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration Taras Kachka, and U.S. Senator Elissa Slotkin, Member of the Senate Committee on Armed Services.