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The President at the European Council: Ukraine must prevail - a prerequisite for peace and security in Europe

President of the Republic of Lithuania

June 26, 2025

President Gitanas Nausėda participated in the European Council meeting in Brussels on Thursday. The first session focused on continued support for Ukraine, responses to Russia's aggression, and the need to ensure a just and lasting peace in Europe.

"Ukraine's independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity cannot be subjects of negotiation. These are fundamental principles of international law that we must defend - not with words, but with actions," the President said.

The Lithuanian leader stressed that Ukraine must prevail not only on the battlefield but also at the negotiating table. He underscored the need to continue increasing and sustaining military support for Ukraine. The President called for the urgent delivery of weapons, especially air defense systems, continued training of Ukrainian troops - including their transfer to Ukraine - and the integration of Ukraine's defense industry into EU supply chains.

"Ukraine's victory is not a choice - it is a necessity for European security. We must speak about long-term security guarantees: Ukraine's membership in NATO and the European Union as the only real guarantees of peace," the President stated.

Lithuania supports Ukraine with concrete commitments: this year, military assistance accounts for approximately 0.3% of GDP, and since the start of the war, Lithuania's total military support has exceeded 1 billion euros. The President also highlighted Lithuania's active participation in EU initiatives, including a 33-million-euro contribution to the Czech-led ammunition procurement initiative and 20 million euros for Ukraine's defense industry.

"We must have no illusions about negotiations with an aggressor who seeks not peace but time to regroup. Russia's war must have clear consequences, including new stricter sanctions," the President said.

"If we fail to uphold the principle of accountability for the crimes committed by Russia, we send a message that aggression can go unpunished. We cannot allow that," he emphasized.

Gitanas Nausėda expressed strong support for strengthening sanctions against Russia and its military accomplices and urged swift adoption of the EU's 18th sanctions package.

He also called for ending cooperation with Rosatom, halting imports of Russian LNG, uranium and pipeline oil, tightening restrictions on Russia's shadow fleet, and imposing tougher measures against sanctions evasion by enablers in third countries.

The President expressed strong support for Ukraine's European integration, stressing that EU membership must become a reality by 2030, and that accession negotiations should begin without delay.

The President's Communication Group