Lithuanian Mission in Vienna

Russia is deliberately turning everyday life in Ukraine into a nightmare. Yesterday, a railway station in Dnipro, where people were simply waiting for a train, turned into a killing ground. Civilians, including children, were also killed and injured in Chernihiv and Kremenchuk. The attacks continued overnight.   And yet we are still expected to believe that Russia wants peace?   Russia is pursuing its war of destruction, and it will not stop unless it is forced to. It must be confronted with strength, not appeased. #Ukraine needs more weapons, stronger air defences, help preparing for winter and our unwavering support.

During last night’s russian attacks on Kyiv, Lithuania’s Embassy was also damaged. Missiles struck just meters from the Embassy. Fortunately, our staff did not suffer. Today, Lithuanian MFA will summon the russia’s representative in Vilnius. Russia’s campaign of terror against Ukraine continues without limits. There is no sign of any genuine willingness to stop it, to seek peace or engage in negotiations. The Kremlin’s objective remains the same: destruction, death and intimidation. The response is clear: increase pressure on Russia through stronger sanctions and step up support for #Ukraine.

On this day in 1991, seven Lithuanian officers were killed at the Medininkai border post by soviet forces. The attack was meant to intimidate a young democracy that had just restored its independence. Instead, it strengthened Lithuania’s determination to be free. This day reminds us that freedom is never guaranteed. It must be protected, defended, and valued by every generation.

Russia continues to demonstrate that it has no interest in neither negotiations nor peace. Last night it launched another massive combined missile and drone attack against #Ukraine, firing around 50 missiles and hundreds of drones at civilians and civilian infrastructure across the country. These strikes are yet another reminder that Russia responds to every diplomatic effort with more terror. Peace cannot be achieved through concessions to the aggressor. It requires sustained pressure on Russia and unwavering support for Ukraine. We must continue strengthening Ukraine’s military capabilities, increase military, financial and political assistance to Ukraine, tighten sanctions on Russia, accelerating the adoption of the EU's 22nd sanctions. Every delay only emboldens the Kremlin. Ukraine is defending not only its own freedom, but also the security of Europe. Our resolve must be stronger than Russia’s aggression.

Russia continues its campaign of terror in #Ukraine. This morning, once again, the Kremlin’s war machine targeted innocent Ukrainians, killing and injuring civilians, and struck the premises of Latvia’s Honorary Consulate in Sloviansk. Russia’s aggression will not break the courage, resilience, and determination of the Ukrainian people, nor the resolve of those who stand with Ukraine. Lithuania’s call: more pressure on the aggressor and stronger support to Ukraine.

Tonight, Russia unleashed a wave of terror on #Kyiv and other cities of #Ukraine. Dozens of missiles, including ballistic ones, and more than 500 combat drones were fired towards residential and commercial buildings, hotels, even emergency healthcare station. In Kyiv alone, more than 20 multistorey residential buildings have been destroyed. And while Ukrainian rescue services are still conducting rescue operation, there are already reports on at least 17 civilians killed and 86 wounded. My sincere condolences to everyone in Ukraine who lost their loved ones or were affected by tonight’s onslaught. Sowing terror and trying to break Ukraine’s will by targeting civilians only shows how desperate Kremlin is – locked in a war that they started and that they cannot win. Ukraine has shown incredible resolve in its fight against the aggressor. Nevertheless, our task is not to cheer for Ukraine when it makes yet another successful attack against targets in Russia. Our task is to provide it with all necessary military and financial support. Ukraine does not need our applause – it needs more air defence systems, more missiles and more money. I urge all Allies who are about to gather for the #NATO Summit in Ankara to commit providing to Ukraine‘s defence and security sector with at least of 0,25 percent of GDP for at least of 10 years. #Lithuania made this commitment back in 2024 and we are meeting it – in its letter, numbers and in spirit. At the same time, we must continue increasing pressure on Russia. I urge our #EU partners to urgently adopt 21st package of sanctions and start working on the new one. Russia only understands the language of strength. And let me be clear – Russia must be held accountable for the crime of aggression against Ukraine and for every war crime it has committed in Ukraine, including for tonight’s attack. History cannot be rewritten – no matter how hard Kremlin tries. Every single death brought upon by the invaders must be thoroughly documented and those responsible must be brought to justice.