The speech by the Speaker of the Seimas of the Republic of Lithuania Viktorija Čmilytė-Nielsen in the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine
Dear Speaker Ruslan, dear members of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, brothers and sisters!
It is a great honour and a great privilege for me to stand before you again in this honourable hall.
I well remember the wave of emotions that swept over me during my first visit here just a month after russia launched its full-scale invasion of your beautiful homeland. The resilience and courage I witnessed then has stayed with me ever since, and your parliament has been a shining example of how representatives of the people should stand firm in the face of grave threats.
I speak today not only on behalf of the Seimas of Lithuania, but also from my heart, which is full of deep admiration for each of you in and outside the Verkhovna Rada. Your tireless work in defence of Ukraine’s independence, democracy and European future inspires us all.
From Speaker Ruslan Stefanchuk to First Vice Speaker Oleksandr Korniienko, the Vice Speaker Olena Kondratiuk and many other distinguished members of the Parliament with whom I have had the honour to speak, I assure you that the Seimas of the Republic of Lithuania is always and forever with you.
From the first day of russia's illegal, unprovoked and unjustified invasion of Ukraine, backed by belarus, the Seimas of Lithuania has been unwavering in its support for Ukraine as it defends its freedom. Our commitment is reflected, among other things, in numerous resolutions, including 15 adopted since 24 February 2022. These resolutions were not a mere formality, they were sincere support, an echo of our collective determination to stand with Ukraine in its darkest hours.
Our unity is not just political, it is deeply personal. I think back to the times when I spoke with Ukrainian leaders and citizens, and every conversation was a testament to your incredible strength and resilience.
The Lithuanian Seimas supported Ukraine's candidacy for EU membership and military assistance not only out of a sense of duty, but also out of a deep belief in your right to self-determination and security.
In these challenging times, as the international community looks for ways to peace, we must remain clear about our goals. We fully support the Ukrainian formula, as a just and lasting peace can only be achieved when Ukraine's territorial integrity and sovereignty are restored and upheld. Therefore, Ukraine must win. It must secure its place in the EU and NATO. And those responsible for this war must be brought to justice. Justice requires compensation for the enormous damage done to the Ukrainian state, economy, infrastructure and – most painfully – to its people.
Victory will come not only in battles with weapons in hand, but also in battles that take place in our hearts and minds. There is a lot of talk about "red lines". Over the past two and a half years, we have learnt that these lines are often imposed, and the kremlin seeks to exploit our fears and our hesitations.
Just like in a chess game, if we want to win, we must choose the right strategy based on clear rules and follow it to the end, without hesitation or distraction, and most importantly, without succumbing to the aggressor's threats.
From a practical point of view, Ukraine must receive all the military assistance and support it needs, and receive it in a timely manner. This support should be provided without any conditions or restrictions. Ukraine has the sovereign right to defend itself in accordance with international law, to repel attacks from both russia and the territories it occupies.
Lithuania is doing everything possible to help Ukraine. Our contribution has been significant: from the first Stingers provided just before the invasion to 1.2 billion euros, equivalent to two per cent of Lithuania's GDP, in bilateral aid, half of which is military support.
Our support will continue. We welcome the increased military assistance from our allies and do not rule out joining an international coalition to send military trainers to Ukraine. In the event of an escalation that threatens Ukraine's sovereignty, more decisive action by the pro-Ukrainian coalition may be required. I say this with confidence because we recognise that you are also defending the whole of Europe and the future of our region.
It has been said that the war started by russia has shifted the political centre of gravity in Europe towards our region. But with this new status comes new responsibilities. Lithuania has consistently sought to strengthen regional alliances, overcome historical grievances, and promote infrastructure and human connections. The Lublin Triangle and broader regional formats, such as the recent meeting of the speakers of the Polish, Baltic and Ukrainian parliaments in Bialystok, underline this commitment.
In these troubling times, the role of parliamentary cooperation cannot be overstated. russia's unprovoked aggression is an attack on the international community and the fundamental values we hold dear. Parliaments are the guardians of these values, and it is crucial that we work together to uphold them. This conviction led me to organise the first-ever meeting of NATO parliamentary speakers in Vilnius last year, a tradition that the United States has continued in the run-up to the upcoming NATO Summit in Washington.
Lithuania has always supported Ukraine's membership in NATO, and while a common consensus is still being formed, we are determined to ensure that the Washington Summit sets out a clear and irreversible path for Ukraine's integration. I hope that by the time Speaker Stefanchuk and other parliamentary speakers, including myself, travel to Washington to promote Ukraine's future in NATO, Ukraine will already be at the table with the EU on its European future.
I want to congratulate the entire Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine for what you have done to move towards Europe, and these talks are a strategic priority for both Ukraine and the European Union. And it is very important to hold the first intergovernmental conference on accession within this month. Lithuania is ready to share its twenty years of EU membership experience to support Ukraine. Lithuania's support goes beyond political diplomatic and military assistance.
Tomorrow I will open a newly built radiation shelter in kindergarten No. 9 in Kozyntsi, near Irpin. This is a project supported by Lithuania and Taiwan. This initiative worth 500 thousand euros provides a safe haven for children and staff. This project joins a number of completed efforts, such as the construction of a mobile resettlement for 36 families, the reconstruction of a lyceum in Borodianka, and the rehabilitation of a kindergarten in Irpin. There are many more projects to come as part of Lithuania's long-term assistance plan for Ukraine, which focuses on education, rehabilitation of former soldiers, energy infrastructure, and demining.
Reconstruction efforts are vital even as the war continues. Rebuilding schools, hospitals, and homes not only restores physical infrastructure, but also helps to heal the emotional and psychological wounds caused by the invasion. Helping civilians return to normalcy and security is crucial to maintaining social stability and fostering hope for a better future. We call on other countries to step up their support for these efforts, recognising that a collective commitment to rebuilding, backed by concrete action, can help heal trauma and accelerate recovery.
In addition to these measures, advocating for the use of frozen russian assets for Ukraine's recovery is crucial. The EU's decision to share the proceeds of these assets, as well as the G7's decision to provide Ukraine with a $50 billion loan secured by the proceeds of frozen russian assets, are positive steps. However, more comprehensive measures are needed to ensure justice and restore what has been lost.
In closing, I want to highlight one aspect of this horrific invasion that is particularly shocking to me, not only as a politician, but as a mother of four sons. The fate of Ukrainian children illegally taken to russia and belarus is particularly heartbreaking. This is a critical test for the international community and its organisations to demonstrate their commitment to humanity. It is imperative that we make every effort to locate these abducted children, ensure their safe return to their families or legal guardians, and promote measures to facilitate their repatriation, rehabilitation and reintegration into Ukrainian society.
Dear friends! The war has caused incredible suffering, tearing families apart and destroying lives. But in these darkest moments, the human spirit shines brightest. Your resilience and hope inspire the world. The parliaments of the democratic countries in the whole world have a responsibility to keep that spirit alive. We must stand together in support of Ukraine and ensure that freedom, democracy and human dignity prevail.
Thank you. Glory to Ukraine!