Lithuanian PM Launches Initiative for Abducted Ukrainian Children, Vows Continued Sanctions on Russia
During her visit to Kyiv, Lithuanian Prime Minister Inga Rugienė expressed her unwavering support for Ukraine — from launching a humanitarian initiative to help children abducted by Russia to maintaining sanctions against Russia and Belarus until Ukraine's territorial integrity is restored.
The Gaze reports on it, referring to Ukrinform.
In Kiev, Inga Rugienė announced the launch of a new humanitarian initiative called “Children First. Let's Protect Ukraine's Future.” This program is aimed at helping and rehabilitating Ukrainian children who were illegally taken away by Russia during the war. It is expected to be implemented in cooperation with the Ukrainian authorities, with Rūginienė herself acting as its patron.
The Lithuanian Prime Minister emphasized that this issue has a personal emotional dimension for her, as Lithuania remembers its own history of Soviet deportations. It was this experience, she said, that prompted the Lithuanian government to support Ukraine in protecting the most vulnerable victims of Russian aggression — children.
The initiative aims to provide psychological, social, and educational support to affected children and their families, drawing on Lithuania's experience in the field of child rehabilitation.
“Together with the Ukrainian authorities, we will do everything possible to mitigate the consequences of the horrors experienced by Ukrainian children who were abducted and forcibly taken to Russia,” Ruginenė added.
In addition, the Prime Minister of Lithuania stated that Lithuania will not lift sanctions against Russia and Belarus until Ukraine's territorial integrity is fully restored and all damages caused by the war are compensated.
According to her, the sanctions policy remains a key tool for putting pressure on aggressor states, and Lithuania does not plan to weaken its position.
Rugienė emphasized Lithuania's support for the creation of a Special Tribunal for the Crime of Aggression, as well as the work of the Register of Damages and the European Commission's initiative to use frozen Russian assets for the reconstruction of Ukraine.
“The ultimate goal is full compensation for all damages caused to Ukraine,” she said.
As The Gaze reported earlier, Lithuania has announced plans to provide medical and psychological rehabilitation for Ukrainian children who were forcibly deported to Russia and later repatriated.