Lithuanian Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis was on a visit to Estonia, meeting with Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna to discuss further cooperation between their countries, support for Ukraine, and regional security.
“Ukraine is facing its third winter of full-scale war, set to be the hardest yet,” Tsahkna said. “In addition to intensified strikes, Russia has brought in North Korean soldiers, thereby giving the war in Europe, close to NATO’s border, a global dimension.”
“Over the course of three years we have seen that Russia is not backing down,” Tsahkna said. “We must continue doing our utmost to bring a just and lasting peace to Ukraine. It is existential for our countries, and we cannot soften our message or backtrack on it.” Both Estonia and Lithuania also stand for Ukraine’s NATO and EU membership because it is crucial for ensuring peace in Europe.
The ministers discussed the sharp increase in hybrid threats in our region over the past couple of years. “Hybrid actions have been conducted against both Estonia and Lithuania and we must continue emphasising that this must stop. Our Allies in NATO and partners in the European Union are aware of this and we are in close contact with them,” Tsahkna said. “We will not simply watch as Russia is acting arbitrarily on our territory.”
The ministers reaffirmed the close alliance between Estonia and Lithuania. Tsahkna also thanked Lithuania for leading a successful desynchronisation operation that will result in the complete desynchronisation of Estonia, Lithuania and Latvia from the Russian electricity grid. Tsahkna added that in cooperation with Landsbergis, Nordic-Baltic (NB8) cooperation has become one of the most important cooperation formats in the region. In conclusion, Tsahkna thanked Landsbergis for his wonderful cooperation and friendship: “During your term, the relations of Estonia and Lithuania have become even stronger.”
Source: vm.ee