Lithuanian President Cements Strong Bloc with Ukraine

I have enthusiastically promoted the idea of the former captive nations of Russian subjugation building a strong bloc for their mutual benefit, development, independence and sovereignty, and most of all defense in the face of continuing Russian aggression.

The example of Moscow’s seven-year war against Ukraine and its belligerent adventurism around the world cannot be demeaned. And in the wake of the free world’s insufficient active support of the x-captive nations’ needs, looking inwardly to their own traditions, abilities and wants is their sole recourse.

A giant leap in this direction has been the political and military arrangement among Ukraine, Poland and Lithuania called the Lublin Triangle, which must be given enough teeth for this triumvirate to stand up for its rightful independent path on God’s Earth. I have written on numerous occasions that this should be expanded to include all x-captive nations.

We have heard their similar statements at opening sessions of the UN General Assembly that warned the global community of Moscow’s expansionism.

The other day former president of Estonia Toomas Henrik Ilves struck a characteristically uncompromising tone in a recent interview in German daily Die Welt, in which he called for European nations to follow President Biden’s move in referring to Vladimir Putin of Russia as a killer. Individuals and nations alike have suffered because of his despotism.

Today, the President of Lithuania Gitanas Nausėda delivered a speech to Ukrainian lawmakers and the nation, which should be remembered by generations to come for its inspirational bi-national call to arms that also paid homage to the nations’ glorious past and succinctly pointed to a mutually beneficial future.

But most of all, the oration warmed the heart of Ukrainians everywhere because President Nausėda spoke in the Ukrainian-language in the Verkhovna Rada hall, where some deputies frown up the heritage and culture of the people they represent. He began: “My Ukrainian brothers and sisters.”

Lithuania has long been known for its unwavering support of Ukraine, stretching back to the days of President Dalia Grybauskaitė, especially after Russia invaded the neighboring country and occupied Crimea, Luhansk and Donetsk.

Noting their common past, Nausėda said “We will always be able to build on our common past. Thirty years ago, when Lithuania defended its freedom during the bloody events of January 1991, Ukrainian volunteers stood shoulder to shoulder with our freedom fighters. And we, Lithuanians, were at your side every time the Ukrainian nation would rise to defend its dignity. For centuries, we had been next to each other and even built a common state. We traded, made cultural exchanges, fought back against a common enemy” – an obvious reference to Russia.

Nausėda recalled the nations’ defense of “the values that are dear to European civilization – respect for the rule of law, individual freedom and democracy” and today “Even seven years after the military aggression that destroyed the international order and peace in Europe, we, Lithuanians, continue to say with commitment and determination: Crimea is Ukraine! We strongly condemn Russia’s illegal actions, we support Ukraine’s independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity, and welcome Kyiv’s initiative to establish an international platform for Crimea.”

This declaration and vow must have resounded with trepidation and rage in the halls of the Kremlin.

“Lithuania sees Ukraine’s tireless efforts in seeking a political solution to the conflict in Donbas. We unequivocally call on Russia and the groups it supports to immediately implement the requirements of the Minsk Agreements. Sanctions against Russia must continue until it withdraws from the illegally occupied territories of Ukraine,” President Nausėda said.

Noting that a strong Ukraine belongs in Europe, Nausėda pledged that “Lithuania will always support you on the path to the European Union and NATO.”

Reminding Ukrainian leaders that “successful reforms are essential for the well-being of the people and for the stability of the state itself,” Nausėda said Lithuania’s businesses are looking forward to working with Ukraine.

“Lithuania seeks to develop relations with Ukraine in the areas of telecommunications, information technology, and innovation. I believe that closer interaction between our countries in creating a digital economy could open useful avenues for the development of Ukrainian industry, for businesses, and for citizens. I believe this year’s Ukrainian-Lithuanian Business Forum will become yet another opportunity to strengthen existing and create new sustainable relations,” he said.

“Although we are currently experiencing temporary difficulties as a result of the global coronavirus pandemic, hopefully we will overcome this crisis with mass vaccination. That is why I am making personal efforts for the leaders of the European Union to agree on a solidarity mechanism for sharing vaccines with Eastern Partnership countries.”

Pointing out that the growing vulnerability of nearby Belarus is a direct threat to Ukrainian and Lithuanian interests, Nausėda also warned his neighbor about the unsafe nuclear power plant in Belarus, which Russia built, that not only endangers the health of the people in the region but with which Moscow also seeks to expand its influence.

“That is why today I want to call on the Ukrainian government and its people to support the position of the Baltic States on the Belarusian nuclear power plant and not to buy electricity produced in Ostrovets,” he urged.

Turning to the region’s energy needs, Nausėda said his country believes it is necessary to strengthen energy independence of the countries in the region to reduce Russia’s influence, an ongoing universal concern.

“Let me be honest: timely investments allowed Lithuania to minimize the direct threat posed by new Russian energy projects, such as the Nord Stream-2 gas pipeline. We are therefore very glad to hear that Ukraine also intends to take the path of synchronizing its electricity grid with continental Europe,” he said.

The Lithuanian president said the two nations’ common history taught his people to “respect the freedom-loving Ukrainian nation and to cherish your independent character.”

He closed by affirming that Lithuanians “are happy to see Ukraine reborn again as a dignified European country that knows its value. Lithuania can help you on the path of reforms, and we will certainly do so in the future.

“Glory to Ukraine!” President Nausėda concluded.

In times of peace and war, the friendship offered by the Lithuanian nation must be respected and celebrated.