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The President at the European Council: Ukraine belongs in the EU

President of the Republic of Lithuania

February 09, 2023

On Thursday, President Gitanas Nausėda is participating in a meeting of the European Council, where the afternoon session on Ukraine was also attended by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of Ukraine.

In his address to European leaders, Gitanas Nausėda stressed that Ukraine had made great progress in implementing reforms, despite the brutal war perpetrated by Russia. The President said it was essential to ensure a smooth process of Ukraine's accession to the European Union and to start negotiations later this year in line with the concrete progress made.

"The fact that Volodymyr is here with us at this table today is truly remarkable, because Ukraine's place is here, in the European Union," President Gitanas Nausėda pointed out.

The President also urged EU leaders to support the initiative to set up a special tribunal to investigate the crimes of Russia's aggression. The Lithuanian leader stressed that this was the only way to hold the Kremlin regime accountable.

Gitanas Nausėda also underlined that the frozen Russian assets had to be used for the reconstruction of Ukraine. According to the President, the frozen assets of the aggressor that amount to more than €300 billion would be a significant aid to Ukraine, therefore, legal solutions needed to be found at EU level. Gitanas Nausėda also stressed the importance of tightening sanctions against the aggressor and expressed the hope that a 10th package of sanctions would be adopted by 24 February without any exceptions.

After the plenary session, President Gitanas Nausėda, together with several other heads of state, met with the President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

"Lithuania has supported Ukraine from the very beginning and will continue to do so until victory. There should be no red lines, no delays, only full assistance to the country fighting against the aggressor. I believe that by joining forces, by being united and defending the values of freedom and democracy, we will bring peace back to Europe," Gitanas Nausėda spoke.