Law, Power, and Justice

Lithuanian FM: West ‘chose to be caught off guard’ by Russia’s invasion
— Read on kyivindependent.com/landsbergis/

Sitting on NATO’s eastern frontier, Lithuania has been punching above its weight when it comes to aiding Ukraine.

Ranked among the top military donors in terms of GDP per capita, the country of 2.8 million has provided Ukraine with helicopters, drones, armored vehicles, and air defenses, not to mention extensive humanitarian support. Vilnius has also pledged to allocate at least 0.25% of its yearly GDP to boost Kyiv’s defense capabilities.

This resolute support is not without cause. Sharing Ukraine’s history of subjugation by Russia and sandwiched between the heavily armed exclave of Kaliningrad and Moscow’s ally Belarus, Lithuanian leaders understand that freedom and sovereignty can be lost.

Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis has been one of the most vocal voices among Western top officials, calling for more decisive support for Ukraine and warning against Russian expansionism.

The Kyiv Independent sat down with Minister Landsbergis at the Globsec forum in Prague on Aug. 30 to discuss how to finally win the war.