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Lithuania welcomes the ongoing democratic change in Ukraine and the determined leadership of the Verkhovna Rada in this historic process. We hope that it will open the door to a quick and peaceful resolution of the political crisis that was created by the former government and President Yanukovich. Three months ago, when the President rejected a long-prepared for signature of an Association Agreement with the European Union, he let down legitimate expectations of  a vast majority of Ukraine‘s citizens.

We pay tribute to the memory of Ukraine‘s heroes who sacrificed their lives for the freedom of their country. We reiterate that those responsible for the deaths of the protesters in Kyiv this year should be identified and brought to justice. We express our trust that the ongoing political process in Ukraine will develop peacefully and will never again claim a human life.

We welcome the adoption of new laws and other decisions made in Kyiv yesterday and today that introduces a new constitutional framework, consolidate the foundations for a comprehensive legal reform and resolve the remaining issues of selective justice. Notably, we rejoice about the release of the former Ukrainian Prime Minister Yuliya Tymoshenko from prison. 

We look forward to close cooperation with a new Ukrainian Government. In the context of addressing the economic situation of Ukraine, we welcome the EU’s commitment to support Ukraine’s efforts to reach agreements with international financial institutions; and we appreciate the readiness signalled by the International Monetary Fund to start consultations with Ukraine’s next government on economic and financial assistance to Ukraine. We underline the urgency of the need for such assistance.

We remain firmly committed to supporting Ukraine’s sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity, as well as Ukraine’s European integration. We would welcome the signature, without delay, of the EU Association Agreement with Ukraine, including the Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area Agreement, as soon as Ukraine’s democratically elected and appointed authorities are ready to do so. At the same time we recall the conviction of the 10 February 2014 Foreign Affairs Council of the EU that the Association Agreement does not constitute the final goal in the EU-Ukraine cooperation.

Lithuania stands ready to unequivocally support Ukraine’s European perspective and aspirations also beyond the signature and implementation of the AA/DCFTA.