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The President: Together with Ukraine until victory

President of the Republic of Lithuania

February 24, 2023

On Friday, President Gitanas Nausėda participated in the international forum "Pursuing President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's Peace Formula: Joint Actions of Ukraine and Lithuania towards the Long-Lasting peace" at Vytautas Magnus University. The forum discussed the peace plan proposed by the President of Ukraine, focusing on the areas of accountability for crimes of aggression and energy security.

Addressing the audience, the Lithuanian leader stressed that one year had passed since the start of the ongoing Russian full-scale invasion, and almost nine years since the start of the unprovoked Russian aggression against Ukraine—the country which was still standing strong after much bloodshed and huge sacrifices made by the brave Ukrainian defenders.

The coming months would be crucial for the outcome of the war, and the speed and scope of the Allies' military and financial support would be key in seeking decisive Ukrainian victory, the President pointed out.

"While Ukrainian people are bravely fighting for their own dignity, identity and the sovereignty of their country, what also weighs on their shoulders is the future of Europe. Only Ukraine's victory will safeguard our shared values of freedom and democracy as well as the rules-based international order," Gitanas Nausėda spoke during the forum.

In his speech, the President reiterated Lithuania's strong support for the initiative to establish a Special International Tribunal to prosecute the crime of aggression in Ukraine.

Gitanas Nausėda underlined that what we needed was peace that is just, sustainable and aimed at discouraging any new acts of aggression. A long-lasting peace as described by President Zelenskyy in his vision. According to the Lithuanian leader, Ukraine has stated it clearly that key preconditions for peace are the withdrawal of all Russian troops and armed formations and the restoration of justice, including accountability for the crime of aggression and compensation for the damages.

Lithuania remained a loyal ally and reliable partner on Ukraine's road to European and Euro-Atlantic integration, President Gitanas Nausėda said, and commended the remarkable commitment to the European course shown by the government and people of Ukraine even in the midst of war. The President welcomed the progress that Ukraine had made in implementing reforms and in following the recommendations of the European Commission and called for the start of Ukraine-EU accession negotiations as soon as possible: "Ukraine's place is in the EU family".

"For us, there is simply no turning back. Lithuania will stand with Ukraine as long as it takes, and we will contribute as much as possible to the peace we all so sincerely desire," the Lithuanian leader concluded his speech.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky also addressed the audience remotely at the international forum, which was organized by Vytautas Magnus University and the Embassy of Ukraine in Lithuania, under the patronage of the President of the Republic of Lithuania Gitanas Nausėda.

The event was attended by Minister of Justice of Lithuania Ewelina Dobrowolska, Minister of Justice of Ukraine Denys Maliuska, Ambassador of Ukraine to Lithuania Petro Beshta, Rector of Vytautas Magnus University Prof. Juozas Augutis, Head of the Ukrainian Center Algirdas Kumža, representatives of embassies of foreign countries accredited to Lithuania, and representatives of Lithuanian universities, among other participants