Lithuania draws up a three-year plan to support the Armed Forces of Ukraine
1 July, 2023 Training of the Ukrainian military on L70 anti-aircraft guns in Lithuania, 2023. Photo credits: Lithuanian Armed Forces/Tomo Kavaliausko During his visit to Ukraine, the Minister of National Defense of Lithuania revealed a long-term plan to support the Ukrainian army.
He also shared details of a new military aid package. The press service of the Ministry of Defense of Lithuania reports. Arvydas Anusauskas, Minister of National Defense of Lithuania, during a visit to Ukraine on June 29-30, revealed to his Ukrainian counterpart Oleksii Reznikov a long-term plan to support the Ukrainian army.
Arvydas Anusauskas, Minister of National Defense of Lithuania.
Photo credits: Ministry of Defense of Lithuania
"We understand that only long-term military and financial support of Ukraine will bring stability to free Europe as a whole. That's why we drew up a three-year plan to support the Ukrainian army," Anusauskas said. He noted that Lithuania has set three main aims, as follows:
- continue to make every effort to ensure the continuous provision of military support to the Ukrainian army;
- ensure the rehabilitation of wounded Ukrainian servicemen;
- continue consultations on defense reforms, which were started even before the full-scale war, to bring Ukraine closer to NATO membership.
The Minister also visited Chernihiv, Irpin and Bucha, as well as inspected the facilities that are being built with Lithuanian funds.
Anusauskas confirmed that the latest defense aid package from Lithuania, which had been announced ahead of the visit, included two NASAMS air defense system launchers. They will be delivered to Ukraine in the fall.
The NASAMS air defense system in service with Lithuania. Photo credits: Armed Forces of Lithuania
The package also includes ten M113 tracked armored personnel carriers, ammunition for grenade launchers and 2.5 million rounds, with the latter being transported to Ukraine as early as this week.
M113 armored personnel carrier of the Armed Forces of Lithuania.
Photo credits: Ministry of Defense of Lithuania.
Preparations for the NATO summit in Vilnius and Ukraine's progress in reforming the military training system were also discussed at the meeting of defense ministers of Lithuania and Ukraine.
Training of the Ukrainian military on L70 anti-aircraft guns in Lithuania, 2023.
Photo credits: Lithuanian Armed Forces/Tomo Kavaliausko
The defense aid from Lithuania to Ukraine comprises weapons and equipment, provides medical care and rehabilitation of servicemen, as well as transfers money to international funds to support Ukraine.