Members of the Committees on Foreign Affairs of the Seimas of the Republic of Lithuania and the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine discussed cooperation aimed at reducing threats to security

9 February 2022

Members of the Seimas Committee on Foreign Affairs had an online meeting with their colleagues from the Committee on Foreign Policy and Inter-Parliamentary Cooperation of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine.

‘Ukrainians look forward to finding a diplomatic solution to the tense situation at the Russia-Ukraine border. However, military support contributes significantly both to deterring Russia’s aggressive action and to making Ukrainian citizens feel safer. An effective policy of sanctions is essential for curbing attempts to rebuild the Russian empire, and the best weapon against Putin’s policy is a strong and democratic Ukraine with a clear prospect of the EU and NATO membership,’ Laima Andrikienė, Chair of the Committee on Foreign Affairs, noted.

Amid the looming threat of direct Russian aggression, the Ukrainian parliamentarians expressed gratitude to Lithuania for the comprehensive support and requested it to continue the current policy of solidarity. They also noted that Vladimir Putin, as the sole leader of Russia, sought to seize on the much slower pace of the EU decision-making and to simply buy off some EU Member States with energy resources.

With a view to changing Western understanding of the threats arising to the region and the support required by Ukraine, mediation between Western capitals and Ukrainian legislators by Lithuanian colleagues is of utmost importance for Ukrainian parliamentarians engaged in foreign affairs.

‘Parliamentary diplomacy, which has become a normal course of action for us, Lithuanians, is not yet deemed necessary in the Ukrainian parliament. Therefore, our experience in working with partners within the EU and in other regions of the world is highly needed and appreciated,’ said Ms Andrikienė after the meeting.

Žygimantas Pavilionis, Member of the Committee on Foreign Affairs, invited Ruslan Stefanchuk, Chairperson of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, and his delegation to attend the Kalinowski Forum to be held by the Committee on 21 March 2022 in Vilnius.

Eglė Maželė, Adviser, Office of the Committee on Foreign Affairs, Office of the Seimas, tel. +370 5 239 6835, e-mail: [email protected]