The first meeting of the coalition on demining of Ukraine took place in Lithuania

12 January, 2024 Illustrative image of the demining process. Photo from open sources On January 11, the Lithuanian Ministry of Defense held a meeting of the international demining coalition of Ukraine led by Lithuania.

This is stated in the report of the Lithuanian defense ministry. Representatives of countries ready to join the coalition for discussing plans for further work. The meeting was attended by representatives of 25 countries, of which six joined remotely.

Also it is reported on the participation of representatives of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine and the General Staff of Armed Forces of Ukraine.

The first meeting of representatives of the coalition on the demining of Ukraine. Lithuania, January 11, 2024. Photo credits: Ministry of Defense of Lithuania

Vaidotas Urbelis, Director of the Defense Policy Department of the Ministry of Defense of Lithuania, noted that this was the first working meeting of the coalition "to clarify the needs of Ukraine in the field of mine action and the specific contribution of each of the coalition partner countries."

"I am glad that in addition to Lithuania and Ukraine, representatives of 19 countries were present in person, and another 6 countries joined the meeting remotely," Urbelis said. The goal of the Lithuanian-led mine action coalition in Ukraine is to unite and coordinate the already provided and future support from donor countries in the field of mine clearance.

Illustrative image of the demining process. Photo from open sources

A support fund is created for carrying out this action, including the purchase of equipment necessary for demining the territory of Ukraine.

The demining coalition includes elements of humanitarian demining of territories liberated from the invaders, as well as demining on the contact line.

M577 Command Post Carrier. Photo from open sources

It is worth recalling that Lithuania approved a package of long-term military aid to Ukraine for 200 million euros. In the framework of which, in January-February, ammunition, generators and M577 Command Post Carrier will be transferred to Ukrainian Defense Forces.

Lithuania will also continue to train the Ukrainian military and strengthen cooperation with Ukraine in the defense industry.