Landsbergis in Odesa: "We must stop fearing Russia, finally come together and fight with all of our might"
Republic of Lithuania - Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Updated 2024-10-17
On 16 October, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Lithuania, Gabrielius Landsbergis, together with the Foreign Ministers of the Nordic and Baltic countries (NB8) and the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, Andrii Sybiha, visited Odesa, Ukraine.
"Russia continues to behave like a terrorist state. We are witnessing Russia's new efforts to disrupt civilian navigation in the Black Sea, its intensifying attacks in recent weeks on the infrastructure of the Port of Odesa and on the foreign vessels carrying Ukrainian grain to the world. The words that defined the direction of this war, spoken on nearby Snake Island, became not only a source of inspiration for Ukraine but also a lesson for the leaders of Western countries - we must stop fearing Russia, reject its illegitimate ultimatums, finally come together and fight with all of our might," said Landsbergis during his visit to Odesa.
"In the last week alone, four ships carrying grain to African and Asian markets have been shelled and damaged. The self-proclaimed defender of the "Global South,"Russia, is actually pushing the people of these countries towards famine. Therefore, instead of pushing 'peace plans' onto Ukraine, we should rather focus on Zelenskyy's victory plan and help to implement it as soon as possible", said the head of Lithuania's diplomacy.
In a meeting with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, A. Sybiha, the foreign ministers of the Nordic and Baltic countries discussed Ukraine's needs regarding further military and energy support and the potential for cooperation between the Nordic-Baltic Eight and Ukraine. "Since Russia's full-scale invasion, the Nordic and Baltic countries have allocated a total of €15.38 billion in military support to Ukraine. Our region is Ukraine's second-largest military supporter after the U.S. We are sending an important message that also reflects our potential for providing further support to Ukraine," underlined the head of Lithuania's diplomacy.
Landsbergis also focused on Lithuania's support for Ukraine directed at restoring the energy infrastructure destroyed by Russia."Russia has weaponized energy and continues to destroy Ukrainian energy infrastructure, ramping up unprecedented assaults on its energy sector. The Kremlin wishes to freeze the Ukrainians who disobey its ultimatums this winter. We shall not allow this to happen. Lithuania's support for the restoration of the energy sector currently amounts to more than EUR 63 million. We are sending the dismantled Vilnius Thermal Power Plant to Ukraine. We are among the world's leaders in handing over generators and transformers to Ukraine. Moreover, recently, state-owned energy holding company Ignitis Group has pledged EUR 4 million in humanitarian aid to the Ukraine," said Landsbergis. During the joint ministerial press conference, the Nordic and Baltic Foreign Ministers unanimously emphasized their continued support for Ukraine's victory.
"The NB8 partners have a clear goal and vision for Ukraine's victory. We all acknowledge that Ukraine must win - there is no other way. Russia will not stop until it is stopped. Ukraine's victory over the aggressor Russia is the only outcome of this war that is acceptable to us. And we will do everything we can to help Ukraine achieve it. We will not surrender to Moscow's nuclear or other bluff," noted the head of Lithuania's diplomacy during the press conference. The NB8 and Ukrainian Foreign Ministers, together with Oleh Kiper, Governor of Odesa, also paid a visit to the Odesa military hospital, later lit candles next to the monument to commemorate the sailors who died in the war and saw firsthand the consequences of the Russian aggression on the Odesa region.
This is Landsbergis' tenth visit to Ukraine since Russia's invasion in February 2022.
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