Lithuanian president says no decision in EU on sending troops to Ukraine
The leaders of the European Union (EU) countries during an online summit could not make a decision on sending their militaries to Ukraine, Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda has said on 19 February. This was reported by Lithuanian President Gytanas Nauseda on 19 February.
According to the Lithuanian leader, to begin with, it is necessary to clearly define under what conditions European contingents could be sent there and at what stage of the conflict they could be there.
"The stay of instructors in Ukraine has already been discussed and this question has been answered positively. However, about sending troops for wider operations, indeed, no decision has been taken yet," Nauseda told a press conference. It was broadcast on the LRT (Lithuanian Radio and Television) portal.
According to him, "very different formats" for the stay of EU troops in Ukraine are possible, but there is no clear understanding of this yet.
Earlier on February 19, the Lithuanian Defense Ministry said that it would provide Ukraine with a military aid package of €80 million. In addition, it was indicated that Lithuania would finance the production of weapons in Ukraine itself.
Lithuanian presidential foreign policy adviser Asta Skaisgiritė said on 18 February 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.
At the same time, the Politico newspaper reported about the EU's €6bn 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 news 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.
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