Initiatives to support war-torn Ukraine must not only be launched but also implemented, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said in Vilnius on Thursday.
He once again called on the West to send air defence systems to Ukraine as Russia has increased missile and drone attacks on Ukraine in recent weeks.
“All the initiatives when they begin, they begin very loudly, it’s important to finish them with the result for Ukraine,” he told reporters at the Presidential Palace.
His remarks came after the EU failed to keep its promise to send one million artillery shells to Ukraine by March 1.
In late February, the Czech Republic announced a new international initiative to buy hundreds of thousands of artillery shells for Ukraine from third countries. Lithuania has also joined this initiative, contributing 35 million euros.
During his meeting with the Lithuanian president, Zelensky also stressed the need for air defence systems, calling it “priority number one”.
For his part, Nausėda said Lithuania “is committed to do the best” to provide necessary assistance to Ukraine, adding, however, that the country’s resources are limited.
“We are ready to supply you with anti-drone systems, armoured vehicles, logistic vehicles, also some kind of 155 mm ammunition,” he said. “This is not easy, but we are trying to do our best.”
As the NATO Washington Summit approaches, the Lithuanian president stressed that Western partners must find a formula to bring Ukraine closer to the alliance.
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