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On 11 July in Vilnius, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Lithuania Linas Linkevičius met with the member of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine Nadiya Savchenko. Linkevičius said that Savchenko’s release was an important victory for Ukraine and Europe, however, there was a need to continue working in order to reduce deaths and to prevent separatists from taking prisoners of war, as well as to bring peace to the east of Ukraine.

“We are glad to welcome you in Lithuania after two difficult years of illegal detention in Russia. This is the day we have waited for. Our people have followed the entire legal farce and worried about you, your health and your life,” said Linkevičius.

Lithuania’s Foreign Minister noted that Lithuania and the country’s diplomats made active efforts seeking Savchenko’s immediate release.

“We are delighted to see that you enjoy freedom and we reiterate Lithuania’s determination to continue to struggle for the release of all Ukrainian citizens, who became political prisoners and who are still illegally detained in Russia today,” said Lithuania’s Foreign Minister.

On 11 April, Lithuania announced the “Savchenko-Sentsov-Kolchenko” list of individuals who contributed to the unlawful kidnapping and persecution of Savchenko, as well as Sentsov and Kolchenko. Lithuania’s Foreign Minister stressed that Lithuania had also raised the issue at the United Nations regularly.

“We will also continue working to rid all of your country of military actions, daily military deaths, civilian casualties, injuries, and endless human suffering caused by the ongoing external aggression,” said Linkevičius.

Savchenko thanked the leadership and the people of Lithuania for their support, which she had always felt. She noted that due to Lithuanian efforts, Ukraine’s fight for freedom had become increasingly visible to the entire world.

Lithuania’s Foreign Minister presented Savchenko photographs in which he and heads of diplomacy of other EU member states can be seen holding posters demanding the release of Savchenko at a meeting of EU Foreign Ministers on 9 February 2015, and along with leaders of other countries on the margins of the UN General Assembly in New York on 29 September 2015.

Savchenko is visiting Lithuania at the invitation of Linkevičius. On 10 July Savchenko attended the World Lithuanian Youth Summit in Prienai district. On 11 July, she met with the President of Lithuania, the Speaker of the Seimas, and Ukrainian soldiers who receive treatment in Lithuania. Savchenko also participated in a presentation of a publication about Lithuania’s non-permanent membership of the United Nations Security Council for the 2014-2015 period at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Lithuania.

Lithuania and other Western countries have joined active efforts demanding the liberation of Savchenko and regularly raised the issue at the United Nations, the European Union, the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe, the Council of Europe and other international organisations. Lithuania stands in solidarity with Ukraine and continues demanding the unconditional release of Sentsov, Kolchenko and other Ukrainian citizens, who are illegally detained in the territory of the Russian Federation.

View more photos on MFA's Flickr account.