Europe must be more active in providing weapons to Ukraine - Nausėda

President of Lithuania Gitanas Nausėda (photo: Vitalii Nosach, RBC-Ukraine)

With Ukraine still not having received the promised military aid, the European Union should play a more active role in assisting Kyiv, while its foreign allies lack the will, stated the President of Lithuania Gitanas Nausėda, according to Etaplius.

According to him, it is urgent to increase the military potential of Lithuania and the EU, both in terms of procurement and other forms of cooperation.

“Europe must take on a more significant role when other allies have neither the political will nor the ability to provide the necessary military equipment. And Europe is undergoing very significant military changes, which are primarily related to the strengthening of its defense industry,” Nausėda said.

He also added that Europe should not waste time in strengthening capabilities both in Lithuania and throughout the EU.

“I do not doubt that joint procurement and multilateral military cooperation is something we can do even more of,” he said.

Nausėda also noted that although assistance to Ukraine is being provided faster than before, it still takes months to reach an agreement.

Aid to Ukraine from Lithuania

Recently, it was reported that the Leopard tanks damaged during the fighting in Ukraine will be repaired in Lithuania.

Lithuania will also allocate about 340 million euros to help Ukraine next year. Part of the money will be spent on education.

A month ago, Lithuania donated sets of radar equipment for the Ukrainian Navy.