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She regretted not being able to be “further east, at the Ukrainian border” and share Lithuania’s border control experience.
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“However, I am here to witness the enduring scars of war – the endless movement of people in and out of danger of death, crossing the bridge and trying to gather their lives and families together,” said the Lithuanian prime minister.
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According to her, while democracies dream of creating a fairer, more prosperous world, the Kremlin regime is using its imagination and military power to restore “what they call sphere of influence.”
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Shimonite has regretted that eight years of war have claimed the lives of more than 40,000 Ukrainian citizens, leaving one and a half million Ukrainians home and leaving “incurable scars on the bodies and hearts of millions of Ukrainians”.
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“However, all that Putin has managed to achieve is a truly independent Ukraine – stronger than ever, leaving behind the divisions of society, united to defend its freedom and choice in favor of Europe,” she emphasized.
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According to Šimonīte, she has spoken to the soldiers and their commanders and has no doubts about their determination and readiness to defend the country. She added that she saw the efforts of the Ukrainian authorities to improve the lives of those “who are directly suffering from the Kremlin’s geopolitical ambitions on both sides of the LoC”.
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“I am here to testify to Ukraine and its people that their friends and partners will do their utmost to prevent further escalation in Ukraine,” the Lithuanian prime minister said.
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She reminded that Lithuania is also increasing other support and will send more military instructors to Ukraine, supply more armaments and equipment, including the Stinger air defense missile system, which could reach Ukraine in the coming days.
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“I sincerely hope that Ukraine will never have to use them, but I am proud that Lithuania can help put them in safe hands – for Ukrainian men and women who are defending their homeland and the peaceful sleep of their children,” she added.
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