Prime Minister in Kyiv: Lithuania’s Support for Ukraine is Unwavering, Our Security Inseparable

Prime Minister Inga Ruginienė is visiting Ukraine today on her first foreign trip.

In a meeting with the Head of the Government of Ukraine, Yuliia Svyrydenko, the Prime Minister underlined Lithuania's steadfast commitment to supporting Ukraine until victory and their shared goal of ensuring a sustainable and just peace.

"I had no doubt that my first visit abroad as Prime Minister should be here - in free and unconquerable Ukraine. From military, humanitarian, expert and other forms of assistance to involvement in the reconstruction process and support for reforms needed for EU membership, as well as in many other areas where close cooperation is ongoing - we stand with you and will continue to do so. You can rely on Lithuania and our steadfast support. We believe that the security of Lithuania and the whole of Europe is inseparable from Ukraine's victory, from strong and lasting security guarantees, and from Ukraine's membership of the EU," said Prime Minister Ruginienė.

The Head of Government stressed that Lithuania will never recognise Russia's occupation of Ukrainian territories.

In Kyiv, the Lithuanian Prime Minister presented a new Lithuanian initiative, Children First: Safeguarding Ukraine's Future. The programme is designed to assist children and families affected by the war, drawing on Lithuania's experience in child protection and rehabilitation. Prime Minister Ruginienė serves as the patron of this initiative.

"Together with Lithuanian institutions, we will do everything possible to mitigate the consequences of the horror and harm suffered by Ukrainian children who were abducted and forcibly taken to Russia," said Ruginienė.

During the meeting with the Ukrainian Prime Minister, the Lithuanian Prime Minister discussed how Lithuania and partner countries can further strengthen support for Ukraine and increase pressure on Russia, which continues the war, and on Belarus, which is complicit in the aggression.

It was emphasised at the meeting that, as Russian drones increasingly violate NATO airspace, Ukraine's experience in enhancing its air defence is particularly relevant. Europe must draw valuable lessons and deepen cooperation with Ukraine.

On the topic of Ukraine's European integration, Prime Minister Ruginienė reaffirmed Lithuania's position that Ukraine can and should become a full member of the EU by 2030, assuring that Lithuania will continue to provide comprehensive support along this path.

The meeting also highlighted the importance of the Create for Ukraine programme, launched based on Lithuania's own experience.

An interagency memorandum of cooperation was also signed today between Lithuania's Office of the Government National Crisis Management Centre and Ukraine's State Service of Special Communications and Information Protection.

Prime Minister Ruginienė began her visit to Kyiv by paying tribute to those who lost their lives fighting for Ukraine's freedom.

The Lithuanian Prime Minister will also meet with President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Speaker of the Verkhovna Rada Ruslan Stefanchuk, take part in Ukraine's Defence Innovations Forum, and visit the Save Ukraine NGO centre as well as the World War II Museum complex.

Last updated: 07-10-2025

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