Minister Budrys: Ukraine's operation 'Spider's Web' showed – Russia is not the fortress it pretends to be

During his visit to Kyiv, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Lithuania, Kęstutis Budrys, held bilateral talks with Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine Andriy Yermak, Minister of Defence Rustem Umerov, and Minister of Strategic Industries Herman Smetanin.

The meetings focused on the peace process, the situation on the front line, Ukraine's military operations against Russian military facilities, preparations for the upcoming NATO summit in The Hague, sanctions, military support for Ukraine, and cooperation in the field of the defence industry.

"The successful operation "Spider's Web" carried out by the Ukrainian armed forces, has shown very clearly how vulnerable Russia is. It is far from the fortress it pretendsto be. Our path is clear, which is increasing international pressure, strict sanctions on Russian oil and gas exports that fund the aggressor's war machine," Budrys said.

According to the head of Lithuania's diplomacy, the EU's 18th package of sanctions must include Russia's oil and gas sectors, also the Nord Stream 1 and 2 pipelines, Rosatom, the remaining shadow fleet vessels, Russian banks, and the IT sector.

Support for Ukraine was also discussed at the meetings. Lithuania's military support for Ukraine will reach 1 billion euros this year. Lithuania also exceeds its commitment to provide 0.25% of GDP annually in military support to Ukraine and plans to provide 0.3% of GDP in 2025.

The meetings also addressed cooperation in the field of armaments production and opportunities for joint production. Promising areas include the production of explosives, mines, ammunition, long-range FPV drones, and drone munitions.

Photos: The Office of the President of Ukraine