Speaker of the Lithuanian Seimas Viktorija Čmilytė-Nielsen arrived in Ukraine on Tuesday for an unannounced visit.
“This visit is particularly important as it underlines our commitment to strengthening bilateral relations and supporting Ukraine at a critical time,” Čmilytė-Nielsen said in a statement released by the Seimas press service on Tuesday.
“From day one of the illegal, unprovoked and unjustified Russian war, supported by Belarus, the Seimas of Lithuania has supported Ukraine's struggle for freedom,” she added.
Although Europe is entering a new political cycle and the European Parliament election has highlighted the fluctuating support of some EU countries for Ukraine, it has not affected Lithuania's commitments and solidarity, she said.
"During my meeting with [Speaker of the Verkhovna Rada] Ruslan Stefanchuk, we had substantive discussions on Ukraine's immediate priorities, including military assistance, EU and NATO integration and wider geopolitical challenges. Lithuania remains committed to helping Ukraine achieve its key foreign policy and national security objectives," the Seimas speaker said, adding that Moscow often imposes various red lines on the West.
"Moscow seeks to exploit our fears and doubts. Just like in a chess game, if we want to win, we have to impose our own rules and ignore the aggressor's threat," the former chess player said.
Čmilytė-Nielsen is visiting Ukraine for the third time since the full-scale Russian invasion began in February 2022. Her current visit will last until Thursday.
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