Lithuanian Defence Minister Laurinas Kasciunas. Photo: Reuters
In an interview with Euronews, Lithuanian Defence Minister Laurinas Kasciunas reaffirmed Lithuania’s continued support for Ukraine’s invitation to join NATO, stressing the need to deprive Russia of any influence on the Alliance’s expansion.
“Lithuania has always supported Ukraine’s invitation to join NATO, because we cannot allow Russia to have even an informal veto over this process. The Ukrainian nation, which is now defending its independence and security, is also fighting for our security, and deserves the right to choose its future,” Kasciunas said.
The Lithuanian minister added that Europe and the West should strongly support Ukraine, eliminating any ambiguity on the issue of its accession to NATO. Kasciunas noted that although an invitation to join the Alliance does not mean membership, it will be a “point of no return” and a symbol of the irreversibility of the process.
He also stressed that it was a mistake to underestimate the need for military support for Ukraine from the West. “We have always insisted that Ukraine needs weapons to deter Russia. Doing nothing is an escalation. The idea that supporting Ukraine could provoke an escalation is a mistake. I hope we will learn from these mistakes,” the minister concluded.
