Lithuanian formin urges West to speed up military aid to Ukraine, lift usage restrictions

VILNIUS – Lithuanian Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis urged Western nations to speed up the delivery of military aid to Ukraine and lift restrictions on its use on Russian territory, as he met with France's top diplomat on Tuesday.

"The current level of Western military support is insufficient for Ukraine to achieve victory," the Lithuanian Foreign Ministry quoted Landsbergis as saying in a press release. "We must deliver what we promised and do it immediately, not in another month or two."

"To prevent Russia's victory and finally open the way for Ukraine's victory, we must stop drawing red lines for ourselves and not reject any way to provide support to Ukraine," he said.

Landsbergis and French Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Stephane Sejourne met on the sidelines of the ministerial conference of the Moldova Partnership Platform in Chisinau. 

At the meeting, Lithuania's top diplomat called for efforts to lift restrictions on the use of Western arms and ensure faster delivery of military aid to Ukraine.

"As Ukraine fights heroically, the key to its victory is still in our hands – providing the necessary weapons in timely and adequate quantities, removing restrictions on their use on Russian territory, and adhering to international law," Landsbergis said.

"Only through force can Russia be forced to retreat. A strategy for Ukraine's victory is needed. The only way to ensure lasting peace in the region is through real Article 5 guarantees for Ukraine," he added.

The Lithuanian and French ministers also discussed initiatives to limit Russia's harmful activities in Western countries, the need to bolster the EU's security and NATO's defense and deterrence, and ensure air defense in the region, according to the press release.

Landsbergis, who is visiting Chisinau on Monday and Tuesday, discussed Moldova's progress toward EU membership and its assistance needs at the ministerial conference of the Moldova Partnership Platform. 

The meeting came at an important time for Moldova, with just over a month to go before the country's presidential election and EU integration referendum, both set for October 20.

This was the fifth ministerial-level meeting of the Moldova Partnership Platform, which was established in 2022 at the initiative of France, Romania, and Germany.