President Zelenskyy says air defences must be strengthened and ammunition replished during visit to Lithuania.
Lithuania’s President Gitanas Nauseda and Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy listen to a national anthem, in Vilnius, Lithuania [Ints Kalnins/Reuters]
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy warns that Western hesitation on aid is emboldening Russia during his visit to Lithuania as he starts a previously unannounced tour of three Baltic states.
On Wednesday, Zelenskyy told his Lithuanian counterpart that it must strengthen its air defences and replenish its ammunition supplies as Russia intensifies its missile and drone attacks.
“We have proven that Russia can be stopped, that deterrence is possible,” he said after talks with Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda.
“Sometimes, the insecurity of partners regarding financial and military aid to Ukraine only increases Russia’s courage and strength,” he said.
“He (Russian President Vladimir Putin) won’t finish this (war) until we all finish him together,” Zelenskyy said, adding, “Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, Moldova may be next”.
The Ukrainian leader also thanked Lithuania for its military assistance and goodwill.
“We know how tiring this long-running war is, and we are interested in Ukraine’s complete victory in it as soon as possible,” Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda told reporters.
He added Vilnius would send M577 armoured vehicles to Kyiv next month, part of a previously announced 200-million-euro package of military aid.
Announcing his arrival on X on Wednesday, Zelenskyy said he would go on to Latvia and Estonia in the coming days.
“Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania are our reliable friends and principled partners. Today, I arrived in Vilnius before going to Tallinn and Riga,” Zelenskyy posted.
“Security, EU and NATO integration, cooperation on electronic warfare and drones, and further coordination of European support are all on the agenda.”
Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania are our reliable friends and principled partners.
Today, I arrived in Vilnius before going to Tallinn and Riga.
I will hold talks with the President, Prime Minister, Speaker of the Seimas, as well as meet with politicians, the media, and the…
— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) January 10, 2024
Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas reiterated the country’s support for Ukraine on Wednesday and said, “These are crucial times, and we need to keep our focus.”
Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna added that Tallinn was ready “to allocate 0.25 percent of its GDP to military aid to Ukraine” over the next four years.
“It’s way cheaper to support Ukraine now compared to the price the international community would have to pay if Russia would reach the goals of this merciless aggression,” said Tsahkna.
The small countries on the Baltic Sea are among Ukraine’s staunchest political, financial and military supporters. Zelenskyy’s visit comes ahead of the second anniversary of Russia’s February 2022 invasion of Ukraine.
With the prospects of a protracted war growing, Ukraine has been appealing to its Western allies for more financial and military assistance.
Ukraine has come under intense Russian shelling in recent weeks and retaliated with strikes on Russia’s border city of Belgorod.
An EU aid package worth 50 billion euros ($55bn) has been in limbo following a veto by Hungary, while the US Congress remains divided on sending additional aid to Kyiv.
SOURCE: AL JAZEERA AND NEWS AGENCIES
