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Mitkus: in defending democratic values, the EU must act decisively - support Ukraine, strengthen defence, and protect the free media

Republic of Lithuania - Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Updated 2025-03-19

On 18 March in Brussels, the Vice-Minister of Foreign Affairs of Lithuania Sigitas Mitkus attended the General Affairs Council of the European Union. The Council continued preparations for the upcoming European Council meeting on 20-21 March. Ministers then held an exchange of views on EU-UK relations, as well as on the 2025 European Semester, and approved a joint declaration for this year's legislative priorities together with joint conclusions on the EU's policy objectives and priorities for the years 2025-2029.

"We expect that the European Council meeting on Thursday will take many important decisions on EU defence, competitiveness, and Ukraine issues," the Vice-Minister underlined.

Mitkus stressed the need to continue and strengthen comprehensive, long-term support for Ukraine and boost European defence capabilities.

"In the current circumstances, a ceasefire alone will not ensure lasting peace. Putin has repeatedly demonstrated that Russia does not want peace with Ukraine - we must take decisive action, increase pressure on Russia, and strengthen Ukraine's position to protect Ukraine's independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity," said the Vice-Minister.

He also called for the immediate start of the preparation and approval of a new package of sanctions against Russia, as well as taking decisions on the use of frozen Russian assets for Ukraine. During the discussion on European defence, the Vice-Minister expressed the need for all EU member states to invest at least 3% of their GDP in defence and to promptly develop and make use of EU funding instruments that would ensure Europe's long-term security. Mitkus stressed the need to boost the EU's competitiveness by deepening the single market, expanding the capital market, improving access to finance, and allowing access to private and institutional investors' funds for the defence industry and new technological infrastructure projects.

Ministers also discussed the impacts of the US funding cuts to Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL) and the need to find alternative sources to continue the organisation's activities. Ministers stressed that independent media plays a key role in countering disinformation and propaganda by authoritarian regimes. The Vice-Minister emphasized the strategic importance of RFE/RL, especially in Russia and Belarus and other regions, where the freedom of speech and the press are restricted.

"The EU should urgently look for financing solutions, involving other partners such as Norway, Iceland, the United Kingdom and Canada," the Vice-Minister urged. Lithuania, together with nine other EU member states, issued a joint statement on this issue.

On the margins of the Council, the Polish Presidency of the Council of the EU organised an informal exchange of views with the Belarussian opposition leader, Sviatlana Tikhanovskaya. With Tsikhanouskaya, ministers discussed the hybrid threats posed by the Belarusian regime and measures to counter them, as well as continued support to Belarusian civil society, internal democratic processes.

During the meeting with Tsikhanouskaya, the Vice-Minister reiterated Lithuania's full and unwavering support for the democratic future of Belarus.

"The European future of Belarus is in our common interest. We must strengthen the identity of Belarus and support democratic forces in building the foundations of governance for post-Lukashenka regime change," stated Mitkus.

Lithuania's Foreign Vice-Minister also emphasized that the future of Belarus was closely linked to Ukraine's victory.