“Train and equip”: Lithuania forms demining coalition for Ukraine

Lithuania decided to create a coalition for demining Ukraine and invited other nations to join and assist the state that suffered from Russian aggression.

The Ministry of Defense of Lithuania reported this following the 14th Ukraine Defense  Contact Group meeting (Ramstein format).

Lithuania primarily encourages those countries that have the opportunity to train sappers or provide the Ukrainian military with the necessary equipment to join the initiative.

Minister of Defense Arvydas Anušauskas explained that the coalition is being created according to the principle of "train and equip." A similar principle is already used in training Ukrainian military personnel in Lithuania, which is being implemented jointly with Finland, Iceland, Norway, Sweden, and Denmark.

"We invite countries to join the new coalition with instructors and equipment," Arvydas Anušauskas emphasized.

At the same time, the defense minister emphasized that greater and more urgent support from Western countries is needed to end the war as soon as possible and help Ukraine win.

He added that NASAMS launchers, which Lithuania purchased for Ukraine at its own expense, will already arrive in our country this fall. Anušauskas also said that the total amount of aid from Vilnius to Kyiv in July amounted to €24 million.

What we know about aid from Lithuania

Lithu,ania with a population of less than 2.8 million, has already provided Ukraine with military support for almost half a billion euroes. A significant part of it is the military training of the soldiers of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. So, in 2023, the country plans to train 1,600 Ukrainian soldiers.

Lithuania transferred to Ukraine drones, anti-drone equipment, surveillance radars, M113 armored personnel carriers, winter equipment, trucks, SUVs, and a Bayraktar TB2 drone with ammunition, for which the ordinary Lithuanians were raising money.

In January, the country also promised to transfer to Ukraine two Mi-8 helicopters along with L70 guns and 36 additional portable anti-aircraft missile systems that can counter enemy drones in February.

On July 18, another Ukraine Defense  Contact Group meeting was held in the Ramstein format, discussing preparing Ukrainian pilots for F-16 training and providing the Armed Forces of Ukraine with additional air defense systems, other weapons, and ammunition.

Defense Minister Oleksii Reznikov stated that the regular meeting of the Ukraine Defense  Contact Group in the Ramstein format confirmed the unwavering support of Ukraine in the world.