Speaker of the Seimas in Ukraine: ‘The recovery of physical infrastructure brings security and social stability’

Press release, 19 June 2024 

On 19 June 2024, Viktorija Čmilytė-Nielsen, Speaker of the Seimas, attended the opening ceremony of a fallout shelter in Kozyntsi, Ukraine. The shelter, installed in a kindergarten, was funded by Lithuania and Taiwan. The delegation led by the Speaker also visited other civilian objects in Borodianka and Irpin, reconstructed with Lithuanian funding.

‘Since the very onset of the war, Lithuania has not only provided Ukraine with political, diplomatic, humanitarian, and military aid, but has also advocated for the immediate recovery and reconstruction of the country, without waiting for Ukraine’s final victory. This is vital, as the recovered physical infrastructure helps both heal emotional and psychological wounds inflicted by the invasion as well as maintain security, social stability, and nurture the faith in a better future,’ Ms Čmilytė-Nielsen said at the opening ceremony. 

Convinced that collective commitment can clear the way for a long-term prosperity in Ukraine, Ms Čmilytė-Nielsen called on other states to step up their involvement in Ukraine’s recovery programmes, advocate for the use of frozen Russian assets in the reconstruction of Ukraine, and implement comprehensive measures to ensure justice.

‘The war has brought inconceivable suffering, torn families apart, and ruined lives. The illegal deportation of Ukrainian children to Russia and Belarus has been a major challenge to the international community. It is crucial to track the whereabouts of the abducted children and to ensure their safe return to their families or legal guardians as well as to take measures to facilitate the repatriation, rehabilitation, and reintegration of these children into Ukrainian society. Moreover, a strong legal framework is necessary to provide fair compensations for minors harmed by the crimes committed by the Russian Federation,’ Ms Čmilytė-Nielsen said.

Lithuania was one of the pioneering countries to implement reconstruction projects in Ukraine. These efforts primarily focused on education, including the construction of schools and shelters, as well as the rehabilitation and reintegration of soldiers, energy infrastructure development, and demining operations.

Ilona Petrovė, Spokesperson for Viktorija Čmilytė-Nielsen, Speaker of the Seimas, tel. +370 5 209 6030, mob. +370 698 42071, e-mail: [email protected], www.lrs.lt