Lithuania’s Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis: Countries that have picked the Russian side will receive the same assessment as Russia
On 17 March, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Lithuania Gabrielius Landsbergis and the Czech Foreign Minister Jan Lipavský discussed bilateral ties between Lithuania and the Czech Republic, Russia's aggression against Ukraine and ways to help Ukraine, the European security situation, measures to strengthen the security of NATO's eastern flank, as well as possible additional international sanctions on Russia and Belarus.
“We need to take immediate steps to strengthen defence capabilities of the NATO alliance on its eastern flank,” said Lithuania's Foreign Minister, thanking the Czech Republic for its contribution to the security of Lithuania and the region.
The Czech Armed Forces are currently deployed in Lithuania. From 1 April, the Czech Republic will take up NATO air-policing duties.
According to the Foreign Ministers, Lithuania and the Czech Republic have done a lot to mobilise and to provide support for Ukraine, but there remains so much work to be done.
They highlighted the need for closer coordination of actions of the international community, further increasing pressure on Russia, expanding and tightening the sanctions imposed on this country.
“We must continue to provide military assistance to Ukraine, which is fighting for Europe's security and values. To countries that have not yet expressed their position, our answer is simple: there can only be one winner in this war. And that is Ukraine. Countries that have picked the Russian side will receive the same assessment as Russia. Putinism must be defeated," said the chief of Lithuania's diplomacy.
In Prague, Landsbergis also met with the President of the Senate of the Czech Parliament Miloš Vystrčil, and the Chair of the Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Security of the Senate of the Parliament of the Czech Republic Pavel Fischer.
“We have to speak loudly about Russia's war crimes in Ukraine. Lithuania and the Czech Republic are well aware of the cost of freedom and the duty to defend democracy and our common values,” the Foreign Minister said.
In Prague, Landsbergis also spoke remotely with the President and CEO of the Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL). They agreed to open an office of the Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL) in Vilnius and to relocated there the employees that had been expelled from Belarus.
Photos: The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic.
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