K. Budrys in Kyiv: 'We need to fundamentally strengthen security cooperation with Ukraine'Activities of the Minister of Foreign AffairsBilateral Relations

On 19 September, Lithuania's Minister-designate of Foreign Affairs, Kęstutis Budrys, while on a visit to Kyiv, and the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, Andrii Sybiha, discussed the continued comprehensive support for Ukraine, the need to stop the import of Russian energy resources into Europe, and the joint effort to ensure the protection of Ukrainian and NATO airspace.

According to K.Budrys, security cooperation with Ukraine needs to be fundamentally strengthened by joining efforts to protect Ukrainian and NATO airspace and leveraging Ukraine's experience in the field of counter-drone defense.

"We are not just speaking about supporting Ukraine in defending our continent or supplying the necessary resources. We need to change the paradigm of cooperation with Ukraine. We must integrate our actions - counter-drone capabilities to defend airspace, fully integrate systems, and adopt Ukraine's experience," the Minister said.

During his visit to Ukraine, K.Budrys visited a defence industrial site where drone capabilities are being developed.

Budrys stressed that to stop Russia's aggression, Europe must phase out of Russian energy that was financing its war machine.

"There are still countries in Europe that import liquefied gas, oil, and their products from Russia. We must stop this. We also need to lower the oil price cap, impose secondary sanctions, and other pressure measures against those that keep the Russian war machine going," said the head of Lithuania's diplomacy.

Budrys highlighted Lithuania's continued military, reconstruction, and humanitarian assistance to Ukraine, which this year is expected to reach 1 billion euros since the start of the war.

The Minister also assured that Lithuania would continue to fully support Ukraine's efforts to maintain its territorial integrity.