The Seimas: ‘The war can only be brought to an end in the manner and under the conditions acceptable to Ukraine’

Press release, 9 June 2022

Under the resolution passed today, the Seimas strongly urged not to consider the lifting of the economic and political sanctions imposed on the Russian Federation and the Republic of Belarus until the immediate causes of the imposition of the sanctions have been removed, i.e. until the unconditional cessation of hostilities of the Russian Federation against Ukraine, the withdrawal of occupying troops and the full restoration of Ukraine’s territorial integrity, the cessation of violations of human rights, the carrying out of ‘deputinisation’ and democratic reforms, the bringing to justice of those responsible for organising aggression, war crimes, crimes against humanity, genocide, violations of human rights and hybrid aggression against the EU Member States, also until agreeing upon reparations for the state of Ukraine, which has suffered enormous war losses.

The Lithuanian Parliament pledged to support Ukraine until victory and full restoration of Ukraine’s territorial integrity and invited to follow the principle that ‘the war can only be brought to an end in the manner and under the conditions acceptable to Ukraine and defined by the legitimate government of the country expressing the will of the people of Ukraine’.

According to the initiator of the resolution, Chair of the Committee on Foreign Affairs Laima Andrikienė, this resolution reflects both the position of Lithuania and the position of the Seimas on all the key issues. ‘It is like refining our position,’ the Chair of the Seimas Committee stated at the meeting.

Under the adopted document, the Seimas addressed the United Nations Organization, parliaments and governments of democratic countries urging to restore without delay the supply of grain and other foodstuffs from Ukraine to developing countries. They were also urged to take all measures to ensure safe maritime communications with Ukraine’s Black Sea ports, in particular the port of Odessa, supplying to Ukrainian troops the weapons necessary for coastal defence, providing Ukraine with protection and security guarantees against attack from sea, creating safe transport corridors and thus ensuring freedom and safety of navigation in the Black Sea by engaging naval vessels of willing and able states.

The Seimas welcomed Ukraine’s readiness to resume exports of grain and other foodstuffs to developing countries, which are particularly threatened by food shortages and rise in food prices caused by hostilities of Russia.

‘With this resolution, we express our support for the position of Lithuania, the Government and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on the unblocking of the Black Sea ports, so that the countries, democracies that are willing to contribute to the resolution of this issue can do so by providing security guarantees, creating safe transport corridors. I do not see any options other than those just mentioned and I believe that the position Lithuania represents is the most acceptable, the safest, I mean the safest for Ukraine and for all of us,’ Ms Andrikienė stressed.

The Seimas resolution calls on the EU Member States to open up a real prospect of EU membership for Ukraine by granting it candidate status at the EU Council on 22-23 June 2022 and by opening negotiations on EU membership without delay, without seeking to accelerate or facilitate the accession procedure but at the same time ensuring that full membership is granted as soon as Ukraine meets the membership criteria.

The Seimas invited the President of the Republic, members of the Government, Members of the Seimas, and officials of all state institutions, at all levels acceptable to them at international institutions, organisations and forums, to assist Ukraine in attaining the above goals.

The Resolution thereon was adopted unanimously by all Members of the Seimas attending the voting.

Prepared by

Information and Communication Department

Adviser to the Press Office

Rimas Rudaitis,

Tel. +370 5  239 6132, e-mail: [email protected]