Lithuanian Foreign Minister Calls on NATO to Back Ukraine with Military Aid and Invite Zelenskyy to Summit
Lithuanian Foreign Minister Kęstutis Budrys has called on NATO to formally invite Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to the Alliance’s summit in The Hague this June, emphasizing the need for clear commitments to support Ukraine's Armed Forces.
The Gaze reports on this with reference to LRT.
Speaking at an informal meeting of NATO foreign ministers in Turkey on Thursday, Budrys underscored the importance of demonstrating unity in the face of ongoing Russian aggression. “Ukraine’s Armed Forces are Europe’s first line of defense. Supporting them is an investment in the continent’s security,” Budrys said.
According to the Lithuanian politician, the upcoming summit should finalize the decision to allocate €40 billion in military assistance to Ukraine, reinforcing the Alliance’s long-term commitment. He also reiterated Lithuania’s expectation that NATO would reaffirm Ukraine’s irreversible path toward full membership.
“NATO membership remains the strongest security guarantee not only for Ukraine but for all of Europe,” Budrys stressed.
However, the question of Zelenskyy’s participation in the summit remains unresolved. Recent media reports suggested that Washington was hesitant to support his invitation. These claims were later denied by U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who insisted that no such position had been taken by the American side.
Dutch Foreign Minister Kaspar Veldkamp clarified that the final decision regarding Zelenskyy's attendance will be made by NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, highlighting that internal consultations are ongoing.
The NATO summit in The Hague, scheduled for June 24-25, is expected to address critical issues of European security, including long-term support for Ukraine and broader defense strategies in light of Russia’s continued war of aggression.
As The Gaze reported earlier, Ukraine’s Western allies are in advanced talks to provide additional Patriot air defense systems to Kyiv, aiming to finalize an agreement before the NATO summit.