News

On 8 March, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Lithuania Gabrielius Landsbergis met with the Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands Wopke Hoekstra, who is visiting Lithuania. The meeting focused on bilateral cooperation between Lithuania and the Netherlands, Russian aggression against Ukraine, the response of the European Union and NATO to Russia’s actions, assistance to Ukraine, security situation in the region, and measures to step up Lithuania’s security.

Landsbergis noted that we should use all possible means to help Ukraine. “Today, the future not only of the region, but also of the whole of Europe and even of the entire world depends on our joint effort to help Ukraine,” Landsbergis said.

“Russia’s illegal military aggression against Ukraine must be stopped immediately. In addition, it is necessary to ensure the security of the civilian population as soon as possible. We cannot allow the use of brutal force against civilians in international relations and the spread of obvious lies to justify it,” Landsbergis said.

The Foreign Ministers also discussed further sanctions against Russia. According to Landsbergis, all possible options are currently being considered. It is also very important to maintain the unity of the EU and allies, and to act in a coordinated manner.

Landsbergis thanked the Netherlands for the country's contribution to regional security and expressed hope that the two states would continue to work together to further reinforce NATO’s eastern flank. The Foreign Minister stressed that, in the current situation, we must strengthen the region's defence capabilities.
 
During his visit to Lithuania, Hoekstra will also meet with Dutch troops deployed in the NATO enhanced Forward Presence Battalion Battle Group in Lithuania.