Vice-Minister Pranevičius in Kyiv: the partnership between Lithuania and Ukraine makes both countries - and the entire Europe - safer and stronger
Republic of Lithuania - Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Updated 2025-05-02
On 29-30 April, the Vice-Minister of Foreign Affairs of Lithuania, Julius Pranevičius, paid a working visit to Kyiv, where he participated in bilateral political consultations between the Foreign Ministries, met with representatives of the Ukrainian authorities, spoke at a conference co-organised by Lithuania, Poland, and Ukraine to commemorate the Constitution of 3 May and discuss the continuity of Russian imperial policy, as well as attended other meetings.
Bilateral political consultations with the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Olexandr Mischenko focused on the bilateral and international agenda: Russia's aggression against Ukraine, mobilisation of international partners for increased support, security guarantees and initiatives to strengthen Ukraine, cooperation in international organisations and regional formats, and how to isolate and deter Russia. Important attention was paid to strengthening bilateral cooperation in the fields of defence and security.
"Lithuania strongly supports Ukraine's path to the European Union, its fight for freedom and adherence to international law. We must increase the international isolation of the aggressor Russia and limit its ability to continue its aggression, while consistently increasing all kinds of support for Ukraine to achieve victory and long-term, sustainable peace," Vice-Minister Pranevičius said.
Pranevičius and Mishchenko also paid tribute to the fallen Ukrainian soldiers.
During the visit, the Vice-Minister also met with the Deputy Head of the Office of the President Ihor Zhovkva, and discussed efforts to achieve a comprehensive ceasefire that would lead to a just and sustainable peace. Regional formats of cooperation and progress in Ukraine's EU integration process were also discussed. Pranevičius stressed that we urgently need Ukraine as a strong EU ally.
The meeting with the Deputy Minister of Defense of Ukraine for European integration Serhiy Boyev and Aloyan David, Deputy Minister for Strategic Industries of Ukraine, addressed the situation on the front line, the most urgent needs for support, and the development of bilateral cooperation in the field of defence and security, including investments in Ukraine's defence industry and co-production. "As Ukraine tirelessly defends our common security, Lithuania learns valuable lessons and thus strengthens its resilience. Our partnership makes both countries - and the entire Europe - safer and stronger," stressed the Vice-Minister.
The meeting with the Deputy Minister of Energy of Ukraine Roman Andarak focused on the situation in the Ukrainian energy sector, its most important needs and Lithuania's contribution to the reconstruction of Ukraine's energy infrastructure.
A meeting was also held with Oleksandr Merezko, Chair of the Committee on Foreign Policy of the Ukrainian Parliament (Verkhovna Rada), to discuss further strengthening of parliamentary diplomacy relations, Lithuania's support for Ukraine's EU integration, and joint actions to strengthen regional security.
Vice-Minister Pranevičius also delivered an opening speech at a conference co-organised by the Embassies of Lithuania, Poland and the Diplomatic Academy of Ukraine titled "Imperial Handbook of Aggression against Lithuania, Poland, and Ukraine. Lessons from the Policy of Catherine II and Putin the Warmonger".
"Since the times of Catherine II until the times of Putin, a pattern of aggression remains the same: as the nations in our region embark on the path of democracy, sovereignty, and reform, they become the target of imperial aggression. Today, Ukraine's path is similar: the same courage, the same will to reform, the same will to defend freedom, the same hope for a European future - and the same reaction from Moscow: denial, terror, and destruction. Russia's invasion of Ukraine is not only a war against one nation, it is an attack on the very idea that free nations have the right to choose their destiny. This is a modern continuation of a centuries-old imperial doctrine," Pranevičius stressed in his speech. According to the Vice-Minister, "Ukraine is not only fighting for its territories - it is defending the democratic future of all of us, a future without terror. Past empires have written textbooks of aggression - but our people are today creating a textbook of resilience, courage, hope, and freedom".
In Kyiv, the Foreign Vice-Minister also met with Daniele Bell, Head of the United Nations Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine, representatives of Ukrainian civil society and Ukrainian soldiers.
This is the first working visit of Pranevičius to Ukraine since he officially assumed the position of Vice-Minister of Foreign Affairs.
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