News

On 28 April, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Lithuania Gabrielius Landsbergis, with other Foreign Ministers of the Nordic-Baltic Eight (NB8), visited Odesa, Ukraine, where he met with the Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba. Landsbergis said that Russia sought to impact vulnerable countries by further hindering the export of Ukrainian grain and other food products via Black Sea ports. Therefore, the West must strive for the Black Sea Grain initiative, which allowed the export of over 28 million tons of grain from Ukraine, to be continued.

“No land-based alternative can completely replace Odesa and other Ukrainian ports. Lithuania had an idea to open the Odesa port for grain exports a year ago. This idea has evolved into the Black Sea Grain Initiative and helped to alleviate the food shortages caused by Russian aggression – we need to continue doing it. Finally, we have no other way but to work to liberate the Black Sea and Ukrainian ports from the Russian blockade,” Lithuania’s Foreign Minister said.

According to Landsbergis, it is vital for Ukraine’s victory to ensure a continued supply of weapons, especially ammunition.

“We seek our partners’ maximal continued military, financial and humanitarian support for Ukraine to ensure its victory and to avoid the freezing of the conflict and its consequences in the future. Therefore we make every effort to ensure that the “strategic patience” of the West is not exhausted. So that more and more believers in Ukraine’s full victory would keep consistently investing in it. It is important to stop Russian imperialism in Ukraine. The only way to do so is by enabling Ukraine’s victory. It would significantly change the situation in the eastern partnership region, reduce pressure on the Western Balkan and Central Asian countries, and improve security on NATO’s eastern flank,” Landsbergis said.

Politicians discussed Ukraine’s reconstruction and essential reforms to help Ukraine recover and overcome the consequences of the war as soon as possible.

“Ukraine begins its reconstruction without waiting for the war to end. We should not delay either but rather make a full contribution. The most important thing is to get life back to normal as soon as possible. Lithuania is already helping to rebuild a school in Borodianka, a kindergarten in Irpin and modernise Mykolaiv’s electricity system. Last week, we opened a mobile housing for IDPs in Borodianka. We are ready to serve as a link between Ukraine and other partners willing to contribute to reconstruction efforts. Since 2014, the people of Ukraine have bravely defended their homeland and the security of the European continent. “We will continue to help Ukraine win the war against Russia,” Landsbergis noted.

During the visit, ministers also visited the port of Odesa. They met with the leadership of the State Company Odesa Marine Trade Port and Vice Admiral, Commander of the Naval Forces of the Ukrainian Navy Oleksiy Neizhpapa. Landsbergis stressed that Lithuania was and remained among the main supporters of Ukraine. The Foreign Minister also highlighted the international community’s responsibility to ensure Russia was held accountable for crimes committed in Ukraine.

“It is in the interests of Lithuania and other friends of Ukraine to ensure that responsible top Russian officials are held accountable. We understand well that Ukraine is fighting for our freedom and security. Lithuania will continue to provide full support and mobilise the international community’s efforts to help Ukraine,” Landsbergis said.

It is the sixth visit of Landsbergis to Ukraine from the beginning of the war. Landsbergis visited Ukraine for the last time on 24 March and met with the President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy.