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On 26 February, on the eighth anniversary of the Day of Resistance to the Occupation of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and the City of Sevastopol, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Lithuania strongly condemns Russia's actions and the continued violation of Ukraine's sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity, and demands the immediate cessation of military actions and the immediate withdrawal of the Russian troops from the territory of sovereign Ukraine.

The recent brutal invasion of a neighbouring peaceful, sovereign and democratic Ukraine by Russia is a flagrant violation of the norms of international law enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations (UN), the Helsinki Final Act and the Charter of Paris.

We strongly condemn Russia's illegal annexation of Crimea and Sevastopol eight years ago in flagrant violation of international law. We condemn the systematic repression and suppression of human rights and fundamental freedoms in the annexed Crimea and the repressions against human rights defenders, journalists, representatives of civil society, especially the Crimean Tatars, and the banning of the activities of the Medjlis. We call for the release of illegally imprisoned Ukrainian citizens, termination of the militarisation of the peninsula and free navigation in the Sea of Azov and the Kerch Strait.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Lithuania welcomes the Joint Declaration adopted at the First Summit of the International Crimea Platform on 23 August 2021 and supports its implementation.

Lithuania reaffirms its support for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine within the borders recognised by the international community. Lithuania will continue to consistently pursue its policy of non-recognition of the illegal annexation of Crimea and Sevastopol, and we will ensure that the European Union and other international sanctions imposed on Russia continue until Russia withdraws from all illegally occupied territories of Ukraine.