Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine Kyrylo Budanov, together with First Deputy Sergiy Kyslytsya and Deputy Iryna Vereshchuk, held a series of meetings on military and humanitarian support for Ukraine during a working visit to Lithuania.
The Ukrainian delegation was received by the President of Lithuania, Gitanas Nausėda. They also had meetings on defense cooperation, the development of the national resistance system, and the resilience of Ukrainians amid Russia’s full-scale aggression.
During a meeting with Minister of National Defense Robertas Kaunas, the sides discussed military support for Ukraine, the development of defense-industrial cooperation, and joint security projects.
With Minister of Foreign Affairs Kęstutis Budrys and Chief Adviser on Foreign Policy to the President of Lithuania Asta Skaisgirytė, they coordinated further cooperation on international platforms, discussed support for Ukraine’s path to European Union membership, and the strengthening of sanctions pressure on Russia.
Particular attention during the meetings was paid to national resistance and the model of comprehensive defense. Within a discussion at the Geopolitics and Security Studies Center, participants exchanged practical experience from Ukraine and Lithuania on preparing civilians for crises, territorial defense, civilian resilience, and countering hybrid threats.
“Ukraine and Lithuania share a common understanding of the threats posed by Russia. That is why our partnership in defense and national resistance today carries strategic importance for the entire region,” said Kyrylo Budanov.
The delegation also met with Ukrainian youth currently residing in Lithuania. In total, more than 76,000 Ukrainians live in the country, including around 48,000 people who were forced to leave their homes due to Russian aggression.
In addition, the Ukrainian side visited the General Jonas Žemaitis Military Academy of Lithuania, a leading military institution training officers for the Lithuanian Armed Forces and specialists in defense and security.
On behalf of Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Kyrylo Budanov presented the Order of Prince Yaroslav the Wise, V class, to the family of Lithuanian film director Mantas Kvedaravičius, who was killed in Mariupol while documenting crimes of the Russian army against civilians.