Lithuania Approves €200 Million Support Plan for Ukraine
The Council of State Defence of the Republic of Lithuania has approved a long-term support plan for Ukraine presented by Minister of National Defence Arvydas Anušauskas, which includes not only the supply of military equipment available in Lithuania but also newly purchased equipment, as well as training of Ukrainian military and their rehabilitation in Lithuania.
This was reported on the website of the President of Lithuania.
The main areas of support include the purchase of lethal and non-lethal weapons, military training and exercises, financial contributions to support funds, repair of military equipment in Lithuania, and personnel training.
In late June, Lithuania provided another aid package to Ukraine. It included 10 NASAMS air defence systems, as well as 10 M113 armoured personnel carriers and ammunition.
Lithuania also supports Ukraine's aspirations to join NATO - the country's president has repeatedly stated that Ukraine should become a member of the North Atlantic Alliance.
Lithuania's total military, humanitarian, and financial assistance to Ukraine has reached €1 billion, which is 1.42% of GDP in 2022. This was announced by the Minister of Economy and Innovation of Lithuania, Ausrine Armonaitė.
It is reported that Armonaitė, together with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the United Kingdom James Cleverly and the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Croatia Gordan Grlic Radman, discussed the importance of the conference on the restoration of Ukraine.
"Participation in this conference allows us not only to express a political position, but also to meet with business representatives and discuss the very specific needs of Ukraine and the further work on recovery," Armonaitė said.
She is convinced that without the participation of private businesses and organisations, Ukraine's recovery would be virtually impossible.
In her opinion, to rebuild a modern, sustainable and innovative Ukraine, it is important to focus on innovation and digitalisation, in which Ukraine already has a strong foundation and ensures the proper functioning of technology even in wartime.
As reported by The Gaze, Lithuania launched the Drone Songs campaign on 19 July, which aims to raise €300,000 to purchase 500 FPV kamikaze drones for Ukraine. It will last until August 24.
During the campaign, the Small but Strong Foundation for Ukraine aims to raise €300,000 in donations to be used to purchase 500 Toro kamikaze drones.
TORO drones were developed by Ukrainian and Lithuanian experts.
"Our fund contributes to the production of batteries for this drone, some technological improvements and logistics. This is a Spanish FPV drone that has been further modernised to perform kamikaze missions. This drone on the Ukrainian front is considered one of the best kamikaze drones in its class with an accuracy rate of 80%," the organisation said.