Working visit to London of the Speaker of the Seimas: ‘Ukraine has become the Alpha and Omega of the future of Europe’

Press release, 2 March 2023 

On a working visit to London, in her welcome address to participants of Quo Vadis, Europa: Is Europe ready to face hardships in support of Ukraine?, an event co-organised by the Eastern Europe Studies Centre (EESC) and the Royal Institute of International Affairs (Chatham House), Ms Viktorija Čmilytė-Nielsen, Speaker of the Seimas, has said that this question would be best answered not by political statements but by continuous and sustainable action.

‘Instead of asking whether Europe is prepared for hardships in support of Ukraine, we should ask whether Europe is prepared for hardships if it fails to support Ukraine and takes no action against Russia. In that case, we would see that there is no other choice,’ Ms. Viktorija Čmilytė-Nielsen stated.

Speaking in chess terms, the Speaker of the Seimas suggested that we should see the moves as they are, not as we would like them to be.

‘It is important, however, not to be fooled, because Putin plays without rules. In fact, rules, conventions and agreements are alien and incomprehensible to the Kremlin regime. In the context of Russia’s distorted thinking, the democratic powers like the United Kingdom are set to grow in importance and can help restore an international order based on the rule of law and respect for national sovereignty and territorial integrity,’ Ms. Viktorija Čmilytė-Nielsen said.

Photo by Olga Posaškova, Office of the Seimas

According to the Speaker of the Seimas, the UK’s leadership is also crucial in the context of the defining role of Ukraine’s victory for the future of Europe, whose Alpha and Omega Ukraine has now become.

‘Putin’s latest speech has left no doubt that Russia is ready for a long-term confrontation with the West. Our unity, our collective decisions and our individual national efforts will therefore determine the future of Europe. In order to avoid future regrets for belated or untaken decisions, we must act now,’ Ms. Viktorija Čmilytė-Nielsen said with certainty.

According to the Speaker of the Seimas, in the near future, decisions must be taken on supporting Ukraine with modern weaponry, continuation of financial, energy and other types of assistance, extension of sanctions to Russia and strengthening its international isolation as well as preparation for the reconstruction of the devastated Ukraine and bringing to justice all those involved in the war crimes.

‘Beyond doubt, the United Kingdom is well placed to give a clear signal to Ukraine regarding NATO. At the conference, I reiterated my message from the previous meetings that the time for empty promises was over, and that at the Vilnius NATO Summit we needed to give Kyiv a clear further strategy on the further steps of its membership. Indeed, I had said that in Vilnius we needed to further strengthen NATO’s eastern flank and, in particular, to defend the Baltic States,’ Ms. Viktorija Čmilytė-Nielsen underscored.

In conclusion, the Speaker of the Seimas said she firmly believed that ‘Europe’s destiny is in our hands and not in the hands of authoritarian states. We must use the shock of Russia’s invasion in Ukraine to reshape the European continent and reset the transatlantic relations. I am convinced that we will overcome all the challenges. The most important thing now is the victory of Ukraine.’

Photo by Olga Posaškova, Office of the Seimas

Ilona Petrovė, Spokesperson for Viktorija Čmilytė-Nielsen, Speaker of the Seimas, tel. +370 5 239 6030, mob. +370 698 42 071, e-mail: [email protected], www.lrs.lt