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On 22 February, Lithuania’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Gabrielius Landsbergis met with the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs of the United Kingdom James Cleverly, on the eve of the first anniversary of the Ukraine war. During the meeting, the interlocutors stressed that Russia remained the biggest threat to the security of Europe and that we must mobilize all efforts to help Ukraine hold out against Moscow’s aggression.

“Our determination and will to stop and defeat Russia in Ukraine remains as strong as a year ago. Thus, we must maintain and increase support for Ukraine. There should not be any fatigue or relaxation in our efforts,” Landsbergis said.

“Thanks to the joint effort of Ukraine and the West, we could stop Russia’s aggression against Ukraine. But it’s too early to celebrate that we have stopped the Kremlin. Putin’s war has raged in Ukraine for a year. Last year was annus horribilis for Ukraine and the security of Europe. What will Europe look like in a year? Will the Kremlin continue to terrorize the people of Ukraine with impunity, threaten the country’s vital infrastructure and brutally violate all possible principles of international law? How could we achieve victory in Ukraine? Here are the questions that need answering,” Landsbergis said.

The meeting focused on Russia’s accountability for aggression and crimes against humanity.

“It is necessary not only to freeze Russian assets abroad but also to find a legal mechanism to confiscate them and use them to rebuild Ukraine,” Lithuania’s Foreign Minister said.

At the meeting, Landsbergis also drew attention to Lithuania’s preparations and ongoing work to host a German brigade ready for fighting, fully stationed in Lithuania.

“The situation in the eastern part of the Alliance demonstrates that the permanent deployment of a combat brigade in Lithuania is a geostrategic necessity,” the Foreign Minister said.

The interlocutors also discussed NATO’s upcoming summit in Vilnius on 11 and 12 July 2023. 

“The eastern flank expects tangible progress in implementing the Madrid summit decisions and strengthening the deterrence in our countries, while Ukraine hopes for a real practical and political momentum towards the Euro-Atlantic integration,”  Lithuania’s Foreign Minister told Cleverly.