Speaker of the Seimas at the trilateral Assembly of Parliaments of Lithuania, Poland and Ukraine: ‘The Lublin Triangle is becoming very important today’

Press release, 7 December 2022 

The 12th session of the Assembly of Members of the Seimas of the Republic of Lithuania, the Sejm and Senate of the Republic of Poland, and the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine was solemnly opened by the three parliamentary speakers: Viktorija Čmilytė-Nielsen, Speaker of the Seimas, Tomasz Grodzki, Marshal of the Senate of the Republic of Poland, and Ruslan Stefanchuk, Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine.

Photo by Ilona Šilenkova, Office of the Seimas

The Speaker of the Seimas stressed that the Assembly was in sitting in the context of nine months into Russia’s brutal war against Ukraine, yet the war was not unexpected to the states of the region. Unfortunately, not only Ukraine, but also the international community had to bear the cost of hesitation and appeasement in terms of high energy prices, inflation and strategic uncertainty. According to Ms Čmilytė-Nielsen, an unequivocal signal sent to Russia immediately would have helped to save thousands of lives and avoid atrocious war crimes and genocide against the Ukrainian people. 

The Speaker of the Seimas noted that trilateral cooperation between Lithuania, Poland and Ukraine stemmed from the natural aspiration of all the three countries to create their own future and the future of the region by building on the advantages of shared history and culture. ‘The history of the Lublin Triangle format shows what an insightful step this was. As Ukraine approaches EU and NATO membership, the importance of our trilateral cooperation is set to grow. I believe that Belarus will join the format some day. This would fully exploit the potential of regional cooperation and ensure our secure common future for generations to come,’ the Speaker of the Seimas said.

Photo by Ilona Šilenkova, Office of the Seimas

Tomasz Grodzki pointed out that at the time of his speaking it was naive to hope that Russia would change its course. ‘The European order created after the collapse of the Soviet Union is being ruined and an attempt is made to bring us back to the Cold War times. In this situation, any hope of returning to cooperation between the West and Russia is only an illusion. […] There should be no talks with Russia until its last soldier leaves the Ukrainian territory,’ Mr Grodzki stressed.

Photo by Ilona Šilenkova, Office of the Seimas

Ruslan Stefanchuk also highlighted the historical experience shared by Lithuania, Poland and Ukraine and expressed gratitude for active support. The Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada talked about Ukraine’s needs during the current period of war: powerful air defence measures, assistance in restoring the energy system, and financial support. He argued that all those liable for the crimes of aggression should be brought to justice as soon as possible and that Ukraine should restore all the territories that belonged to the country under international law. Mr Stefanchuk shared his belief that the Final Document to be adopted that day by the Assembly would be ‘an important signal to other parliaments, governments and countries that Ukraine, Poland and Lithuania will stand shoulder to shoulder until Ukraine’s final victory.’

Photo by Ilona Šilenkova, Office of the Seimas

Please find the video recording of the 12th Session of the Assembly of Members of the Seimas of the Republic of Lithuania, the Sejm and Senate of the Republic of Poland, and the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, available in Lithuanian, Polish and Ukrainian, on the YouTube account of the Seimas.

The sessions of the Assembly alternate between Ukraine, Poland or Lithuania. The Assembly is a consultative interparliamentary body for considering matters and projects of common interest.

More information on the Assembly of Members of the Seimas of the Republic of Lithuania, the Sejm and Senate of the Republic of Poland and the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine as well as on the Seimas Delegation and its activities is available HERE.

Jolanta Anskaitienė, Adviser, Press Office, Information and Communication Department, tel. +370 5 239 6508, e-mail: [email protected]