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Lithuania announces EUR 200m in military aid for Ukraine

11.01.2024 11:30
Lithuania has unveiled a new package of long-term military assistance for Ukraine, worth EUR 200 million, to help Kyiv's fight against the Russian invasion. 
Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda (R) and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky during their meeting in Vilnius, Lithuania, 10 January 2024.
Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda (R) and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky during their meeting in Vilnius, Lithuania, 10 January 2024.PAP/EPA/Toms Kalnins

Lithuania's President Gitanas Nausėda announced the new tranche of military aid at a meeting with Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelensky on Wednesday. 

It includes ammunition, generators and armoured personnel carriers, Nausėda told reporters in Vilnius.

Lithuania will also train Ukrainian soldiers and the two countries will "strengthen cooperation in the defence industry," the Espreso TV website reported.

Nausėda reaffirmed his country's backing for Ukraine joining NATO and said Lithuania was forming a "demining coalition" to support Ukraine, media reported. 

The EUR 200 million package is equivalent to 0.3% of Lithuania's total GDP, said the Institute for the Study of War, a US think tank. 

As of October, Vilnius' bilateral aid to Kyiv totalled 1.4% of its GDP, according to the Kiel Institute for the World Economy; US assistance to Ukraine represented around 0.3 America's GDP, the ISW reported.   

Thursday is day 687 of Russia’s war on Ukraine.

Russia invaded Ukraine on February 24, 2022, launching the largest military campaign in Europe since World War II.

Source: Espreso TVISW