The Government Approves the Provisions of the Draft Agreement on Defence Cooperation Between Lithuania and Ukraine
The Government meeting approved the provisions of the draft agreement on security cooperation between Lithuania and Ukraine, which entails the implementation of the G7 Declaration adopted at the NATO Summit in Vilnius. Lithuania and the other Baltic States endorsed the declaration in August 2023.
The Lithuania-Ukraine agreement will define the modalities of Lithuania's support for strengthening Ukraine's defence capabilities and national security over the next decade.
Under the agreement, the Lithuanian Government will aim to provide Ukraine with annual security and defence assistance equivalent to 0.25% of Lithuania's annual GDP.
The agreement provides for the strengthening of cooperation and partnership between Lithuania and Ukraine, based on a commitment to defend and protect the rules-based international order, the common principles of democracy, the rule of law, fundamental human rights and freedoms, and the right of each country to choose its own security measures.
Elements of the agreement include Lithuania's provision of military, humanitarian and financial assistance to Ukraine to protect and restore its territorial integrity in accordance with its internationally recognised borders, deepening mutually beneficial security cooperation, strengthening Ukraine's economic and energy stability and resilience, support for Ukraine's rapid progress towards NATO membership, including support for the implementation of Ukraine's reform agenda and for the further enhancement of interoperability with NATO, sharing Lithuania's experience and expertise, and support for Ukraine's full EU membership. At the same time, the agreement provides for Lithuania's support to Ukraine in the areas of justice, the fight against corruption, as well as in the pursuit of Russia's accountability for the crime of aggression and the compensation for material damage caused by it.
So far, the G7 Declaration, signed on 12 July 2023, has been endorsed by 25 countries, with eight of them signing agreements with Ukraine for its practical implementation.