Minister of National Defence R. Kaunas met with Minister of Defence of Ukraine
Republic of Lithuania - Ministry of National Defence
2025-11-21
International cooperation | Security and defense policy
Minister of National Defence Robertas Kaunas is conducting a visit in Ukraine were he has already met with Minister of Defence Denys Shmyhal and other senior officials.
The Ministers discussed the current security situation in Ukraine, support and cooperation, the most urgent Ukraine's needs and a possible peace deal.
Minister R. Kaunas assured the Ukrainian counterpart that Lithuania will continue to be a steadfast supporter and assistance provider to Ukraine. Lithuania is committed to share at least 0.25% of GDP in support to Ukraine annually.
Also, Lithuania will take part in urgent military assistance programmes next year where it will provide critically needed weapons with its second contribution through PURL, and assistance through the Patriot and the Czech ammunition initiatives.
"We recognize the critical importance of continuing standing by Ukraine, so Lithuania will contribute to Ukraine's military defence with approx. EUR 220 million. Also, Lithuania is an active partner of the Nordic-Baltic Task Force LEGIO initiative. Our first team of instructors will kick off the training for Ukrainian Brigades in January. We will continue to urge other countries to support Ukraine to the best of our ability further as well," said Minister of National Defence R. Kaunas.
Another topic the Ministers addressed at the meeting was defence industry and enhancement of its capacity. A major portion of acquisitions conducted through the Capability Coalition for Demining (that Lithuania is a co-founder of), as well as others, to be transferred to Ukraine, are bought from Ukraine's suppliers besides the Lithuanian ones. The mechanism is designed to support the Ukrainian defence industry.
Lithuania has already supported production of the AN-196 Liuty system with EUR 20 million on the basis of the mutual assistance mechanism to the Ukrainian defence industry. The support will be conducted regularly. Joint production projects, i.e. Ukrainian military products being manufactured in Lithuania, is one of the ways to step up military aid to Ukraine. The Ministers discussed the cooperation between the Ukrainian and the Lithuanian defence industry, possible projects and opportunities.
Minister of National Defence R. Kaunas underscored Ukraine's experience and lessons learned of vital importance to our regional security. "The air defence challenges Lithuania is facing can be solved with the help of Ukraine's experience in integrated air defence and counter-drone warfare. We are also facing extra challenges, including the interference of the smuggling balloons. We are intensely weighing possible solutions and we are open to Ukraine's ideas on how to neutralize them," said Minister of National Defence R. Kaunas.
During his visit to Ukraine, Minister R.Kaunas also met with the Ukrainian Air Force leadership and toured a defence industry complex.
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