President of Lithuania Gitanas Nauceda called on Europe to designate as a priority the strengthening of the defense industry of Ukraine.
The head of state said this at a meeting of the leaders of the member countries of the United Expeditionary Forces (JEF) in Tallinn, the press service of the policy.
The head of Lithuania emphasized that now the decisive moment has come in the consolidation of efforts to support Ukraine and maximize its strengthening its potential.
According to the president, the time of conferences has passed – it is necessary to act. Europe should take on more responsibility, the priority should be the strengthening of the defense industry of Ukraine, said Nauceda.
“The question of Ukraine is global. The pressure on Ukraine, so that it goes to negotiations on disadvantageous conditions that undermine its sovereignty and territorial integrity, is incompatible with the achievement of a fair and sustainable world. We must strive for the victory of Ukraine and the deterrence of Russia,” – noted Gitanas Nauceda.
Speaking of practical steps, the president invited the Allies to jointly train Ukrainian brigades and equip them with military equipment, purchase and supply Ukraine with ammunition produced on its territory, as well as continue the training of the Ukrainian military in specialized centers in Europe.
Discussing NATO’s long -term policy against Russia, the head of Lithuania emphasized that it should proceed from the fact that Russia will remain “the biggest threat for a long time.”
“We must counteract Russian aggression in all areas, including hybrid operations, strengthen sanctions against Russia and its authoritarian supporters – China, Belarus, North Korea and Iran, as well as take measures to limit their cooperation,” Hitanas Nauceda emphasized.
“We support the format of the JEF uniform countries, which, if necessary, will quickly and effectively respond. We also support the proposal to increase the presence of JEF forces in the Baltic Sea – this will be a contribution to the NATO policy and preventing hybrid threats and incidents”, – said the head of Lithuania during the work session.
JEF leaders signed a joint declaration in which they pledged to increase investments in defense, strengthen the support of Ukraine and its defense industry, as well as counteract Russian hybrid attacks.
In addition, a statement was signed on specific measures to contain the “shadow fleet” of Russia.
The United Expeditionary Forces are the forces of high readiness and rapid deployment, created in 2014 to respond to a wide range of threats, restraining opponents and increasing safety.
After the accession of Iceland in April 2021, JEF includes 10 countries: Great Britain, Denmark, Estonia, Iceland, Latvia, Lithuania, Netherlands, Norway, Finland and Sweden.