United to win: Lithuania to buy 3,000 FPV drones in support of Ukraine

Prime Minister of Ukraine Denys Shmyhal began his visit to Lithuania and met with his Lithuanian counterpart Ingrida Šimonytė. The Ministry of Defense of Lithuania will purchase 3,000 Lithuanian drones for Ukraine, as well as allocate 15 million euros for rehabilitation programs for wounded Ukrainian soldiers.

This is reported by the Prime Minister of Lithuania, Ingrida Šimonytė, during a press conference with his Ukrainian colleague Denys Shmyhal and on Denys Shmyhal's Telegram account.

As stated by Shmyhal, the following items are on the agenda:

• Collaboration on military technology;
• Assistance with Ukraine's European integration;
• Seizure of Russian assets;
• Tightening restrictions on Russian goods and services.

"Lithuania will purchase 3,000 Lithuanian drones for Ukraine, as well as allocate 15 million euros for rehabilitation programs for wounded Ukrainian soldiers. This was agreed with the Prime Minister of Lithuania, Ingrida Šimonite, during my visit to Vilnius," Denys Shmyhal informed.

According to the head of the Ukrainian government, Lithuania also provides 35 million euros to the Czech initiative to purchase artillery ammunition.

In particular, Lithuania takes an active part in the reconstruction of Ukraine and will also allocate:

• 5 million euros for education,
• Twelve million euros – for assistance to veterans, rebuilding schools and kindergartens, and arranging shelters.

The head of the Ukrainian government also noted that the state highly values Lithuania's readiness to participate in implementing President Volodymyr Zelensky's Peace Formula and its contribution to Ukraine's European and Euro-Atlantic integration.

"I thanked Lithuania for its clear position on blocking the export of Russian and Belarusian agricultural products to the EU and for its leadership on the sanctions track," Shmyhal summarized.

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It should be noted that in January, during the visit of President Volodymyr Zelensky, Lithuania approved a package of long-term military aid to Ukraine worth 200 million euros. It sent ammunition, generators, and detonation systems in January and in February – M577 armored personnel carriers.

In particular, Ukraine and Lithuania agreed to jointly produce drones and electronic warfare (EW). A joint-stock company, "Ukrainian Defense Industry," is starting a strategic partnership with four Lithuanian companies.

In addition, Lithuania announced Ukraine's readiness to partially transfer the production of drones to their country's territory. This step is mutually beneficial cooperation and preparation for the Western neighbors' possible military threats.

Also, at the beginning of February, Lithuania delivered another batch of weapons to Ukraine as part of military aid. In particular, it included shells for the Carl Gustaf anti-tank grenade launchers.

In addition, the Ministry of Education, Science, and Sports of Lithuania proposed to extend the period for a year, during which Ukrainian refugees who have found work here will not need to speak Lithuanian.

It is worth noting that Lithuania's financial assistance to Ukraine has amounted to more than 1 billion euros since the beginning of the full-scale invasion.