The Lithuanian president says countries of the so-called “coalition of the willing” need to be prepared to deploy forces to Ukraine. Gitanas Nausėda took part in the meeting of the 31 countries supporting Ukraine on Wednesday, held to discuss the upcoming meeting of the US and Russian presidents in Alaska.
“We need to be prepared to deploy forces to ensure security in Ukraine,” Nausėda was quoted in a statement released by the presidential press service.
According to Nausėda, Lithuania stands ready to contribute troops and military training capabilities to a joint force.
Russia’s fourth year of war against Ukraine has a significant impact on the security of Europe as a whole, the Lithuanian president said. Nausėda insisted that while efforts to end the war are welcome, they have to be based on terms favourable to Ukraine and Europe.
The Lithuanian president also said peace in Ukraine should not be decided without Ukraine and insisted that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky should take part in future meetings.
Moreover, Nausėda said, Kyiv must not be forced to give up territories.
“A comprehensive ceasefire without preconditions is essential before any real negotiations can begin,” the Lithuanian president said.
US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin are meeting in Alaska on Friday.
Via LRT
