Title: Ukrainian President’s surprise visit to Lithuania strengthens international support for Russian invasion
Introduction :
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky recently made an unannounced visit to Lithuania, a key ally of Kyiv in its fight against the Russian invasion. This visit is of great importance as the conflict continues to rage and Ukraine seeks to strengthen its ties with the EU and NATO. This visit also aims to strengthen cooperation in electronic warfare and drones, in the face of Russia’s incessant air attacks. This approach is particularly remarkable in a context where support for Ukraine is sometimes mixed, particularly in Washington.
The strong support of the Baltic countries:
In his statement, Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda said he warmly welcomes Zelensky to his country, where the two leaders will discuss the ongoing war in Ukraine as well as the latter’s integration into the EU and NATO. The Baltic countries, including Lithuania, have maintained unwavering support for Ukraine, contrary to certain reluctance observed in Washington. Last December, Ukraine received its final batch of military aid from the United States, pending approval of funding requested by the Biden administration.
One more step towards integration into NATO:
Although the United States has expressed reluctance to admit Ukraine into NATO while the conflict persists, Zelensky’s visit to Lithuania serves as a reminder of the urgency of such integration. During the NATO summit in July 2023, the Ukrainian President called for clarity on the accession process and a precise timetable. Although Ukraine was granted a more direct path to future membership, with the removal of the Membership Action Plan, a binding program of economic, defense and security reforms imposed on newly admitted countries, admission definitive remains pending the resolution of the conflict.
Lithuania’s unwavering support:
Zelensky’s visit to Lithuania once again demonstrates this country’s strong commitment to Ukraine. The Ukrainian President expressed his gratitude to Lithuania for its uncompromising support since 2014 and especially during Russia’s all-out aggression. Lithuania stands out for its significant financial aid to Ukraine, ranking among the most generous donors in proportion to its GDP.
Conclusion :
The Ukrainian President’s surprise visit to Lithuania strengthens international support for Ukraine in the face of the Russian invasion. Discussions on the ongoing war, integration into the EU and NATO, as well as cooperation on electronic warfare and drones demonstrate the importance of this visit. As Ukraine continues its efforts to end the conflict and strengthen its alliances, the support of the Baltic countries, especially Lithuania, is essential to confront the current challenges.