Budrys at the meeting with President V. Zelenskyy: we see Ukraine as an integral and crucial link in European air defenceActivities of the Minister of Foreign AffairsBilateral[...]

On 19 September, the Foreign Minister-designate of Foreign Affairs, Kęstutis Budrys, who was paying a working visit to Kyiv, met with the President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

The meeting discussed Ukraine's EU membership, Lithuania's support for Ukraine, joint efforts to achieve peace, increasing pressure on Russia, and security guarantees for Ukraine.

They also exchanged views on the security situation following last week's violation of the Polish airspace by the Russian drones.

The head of Lithuania's diplomacy emphasized that Ukraine's over more than three years of fighting experience gained in counter-drone capabilities was invaluable.

"Ukraine has made huge technological advances in the face of constant mass attacks. We see your country as an integral part of European security. Thus, creation of a common air defence system with a successfully integrated Ukrainian counter-drone model, experience, and tools that have already been successfully tested on the battlefield, would be a purposeful step," the Minister said.

The meeting also addressed the need to accelerate Ukraine's EU integration process.

The Minister underlined that it is now critically important to open the first clusters of accession talks, and by the end of this year, the remaining chapters as well.

According to Budrys, 2030 must remain the key target date for Ukraine's EU membership.