Lithuania supports Ukraine, photo © Honorary Consul of Lithuania in the Netherlands, Aloys Bruggeman RE RA
Beata Bruggeman-Sekowska
30 years ago, a milestone in the history of Lithuania took place. After 50 years of bloody Russian communist oppression at 23:46 on August 31, 1993 the Russian troops finally left Lithuania.
Now Lithuania as a free, flourishing country, a member of European Union and NATO is one of the most prominent supporters of free Ukraine. And as Lithuanian Parliament Speaker Viktorija Čmilytė-Nielsen pointed out this year’s Freedom Day slogan ‘Red Army Go Home!’ we chant for Ukraine’s victory!”.
Foreign minister Gabrielius Landsbergis ahead of an informal meeting of foreign affairs ministers in Gymnich in Spain pointed out today that ‘’Victory is a difficult process: multi-staged, multi-operational, requiring a lot of efforts in the sea, in the air & on the ground. We need to give Ukrainians what they ask for if we want Ukraine not, Putin to, win’’
Support for Ukraine
And Lithuania does give a lot. In terms of a percentage of GDP Lithuania together with Latvia and Estonia tops the list of international help for Ukraine.
Lithuania sent military aid to Ukraine worth over 400 million euros. It donated 500 armoured vests to Ukraine, fifteen days before the war followed by a Stinger air defence system with 24 missiles. Ukraine received 50 of Lithuania’s M113 armoured personnel carriers, howitzers and a third of its 120-millimetre mortars. One of the latest shipments of military aid contained L-70 anti-aircraft guns and two Mi-8 helicopters. Lithuania also contributes to joint arms procurement and training of Ukrainian troops.
The whole Lithuanian nation is united in the fight against Russian oppression. Throughout Lithuania various protests and actions take place. In April, a pond near the Russian embassy in Vilnius was colored in red, Lithuania also changed the name of the street where the Russian embassy is located in Vilnius into „Ukrainian Heroes’ Street“ and celebrating Lithuanian independence day is combined with the display of unity and solidarity for Ukraine.
Lithuania supports Ukraine, photo © Honorary Consul of Lithuania in the Netherlands, Aloys Bruggeman RE RA
During the first week of the war products made in Russia and Belarus were banned in shops and Lithuania was the first country in Europe who decided to stop using Russian gas. More than 50,000 refugees from Ukraine stay in Lithuania ( February, 2023) and students can study in Lithuanian schools. Lithuanian citizens bought 2 drones EOS C VTOL and a nation of 2.8 million citizens managed in 3 and a half days to collect via crowdfunding 5,915,207EUR to buy Bayraktar.
Lithuania supports Ukraine, photo © Honorary Consul of Lithuania in the Netherlands, Aloys Bruggeman RE RA
Historical consciousness
Lithuanians know that the oppressive Putin Russia system stemming directly from Soviet practices must be stopped otherwise it will spread like a plague. As an international community it is important not to forget about the past horrors, Russian occupation of Europe and its role in initiating World War 2 to stay stronger together against totalitarianism.
Russia initiated again the war in Europe and do not forget that it also still occupies almost 20% of Georgian territory and the territory of Moldova, Transnistria.
Lithuania supports Ukraine, photo © Honorary Consul of Lithuania in the Netherlands, Aloys Bruggeman RE RA
Historical frame
On August 23, 1939, the Third Reich and the USSR signed a non-aggression pact, known as Molotov-Ribbentrop pact which led tot he outbreak of the World War 2 and determined the future of Central and Eastern Europe. They agreed on dividing the territories of Poland, Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, Finland, and Romania. On September 1, Germany attacked Poland, while the Red Army attacked in from the other side on September 17. Poland was invaded and divided between Moscow and Berlin. Finland, too, was invaded by the Red Army and forced to cede territory. Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia were annexed by Stalin, as was Bessarabia.
Author: Beata Bruggeman-Sękowska is an award-winning international journalist, TV correspondent, author, chief editor of international journalism centre, Central and Eastern Europe Centre, board member and a sworn translator. She was born in Warsaw, Poland and has also Armenian blood and roots in Lvov, which is part of Ukraine. She has been living in Heerlen, the Netherlands since 2005.
