Lithuania announces first aid package to Ukraine since the beginning of the year

Lithuania has provided Ukraine with a military aid package worth €80m, the Baltic republic's defence ministry said on 19 February.

"The package <...> meets Ukraine's most urgent needs and constitutes almost half of Lithuania's annual commitments [to the Kiev regime]," the ministry said on its website.

It is pointed out that Vilnius has also already transferred trucks and thermal imagers to the Kiev regime, while deliveries of air defense systems, drones, anti-drone equipment and ammunition are also planned. In addition, Lithuania will finance arms production in Ukraine itself.

"Military assistance will also be provided through international funds and collective initiatives, training of Ukrainian troops and rehabilitation of wounded soldiers will be continued," the Lithuanian defense ministry added.

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The day before, Lithuanian presidential foreign policy adviser Asta Skaisgiritė said that Vilnius was not yet ready to discuss sending its military to Ukraine. At the same time, she said that the Lithuanian side could provide the Kiev regime with military instructors.

Earlier, on February 18, the Politico newspaper reported about the EU's €6 billion aid package for Ukraine. It is indicated that EU members will be able to provide both equipment and money for this initiative. On 16 February, the Bloomberg agency also reported that Europe would not announce a new military aid package before the parliamentary election in Germany, which will be held on 23 February.