Prime Minister met with President of the European Commission
On July 4, Prime Minister of Lithuania Ingrida Šimonytė, attending the Ukraine Recovery Conference in Lugano, met with President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen. The meeting was aimed at discussing support for Ukraine, which is being destroyed by Russia's war, further steps after granting the EU candidate status to Ukraine and Moldova and the prospects for granting the candidate status to Georgia, the need to continue on putting pressure on Russia through EU sanctions, implementation of the RRF (Recovery and Resilience Facility), and strengthening of the EU's energy security.
The need not to give in to Russian blackmail and pressure was discussed during the meeting. Prime Minister pointed out that Russia's hybrid attacks will continue, but we are ready to withstand them together.
Ms Šimonytė thanked President of the EC for the EC's proposal to grant the EU candidate status to Ukraine and Moldova, on the basis of which the EU leaders made this historic decision. Prime Minister emphasized the need to help the countries to implement the recommendations through concrete measures.
‘Lithuania is ready to enhance its expert and technical support to Ukraine's and Moldova's European integration reforms, and the European Commission's detailed assessments of the areas where assistance is needed the most will be useful for better planning’, said Prime Minister.
Ms Šimonytė encouraged the EC to continue its policy of pressure on Russia and to take the lead in development of further EU sanctions against Russia, which is continuing its military aggression in Ukraine, without forgetting the criminal actions of the Alexander Lukashenko’s regime both against the Belarusian nation and by involving Belarus in the war against Ukraine.