A number of agreements were signed in November 2009 including the mutual recognition of university qualifications and cooperation in preserving cultural heritage; furthermore, Lithuania promised assistance to Ukraine in its aspirations to
become a member of the European Union.[2][3]
In 2021, the Ukrainian President
Volodymyr Zelenskyy noted the importance of Lithuania's support for Ukraine's
European Union and
NATO aspirations, while the Lithuanian President
Gitanas Nausėda noted that Lithuania supports Ukraine's progress and welcomes reforms in Ukraine.[7]
Following the start of the
2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine, Lithuania has strongly condemned the invasion and called for military, economic and humanitarian aid for Ukraine.[8] In the
prelude of invasion, on 13 February 2022, Lithuania sent
FIM-92 Stinger anti-aircraft missile systems and ammunition to Ukraine.[9] Military aid further continued and, according to the Lithuanian
Minister of National Defence, as of 21 November 2022, the total aid to Ukraine amounted to €660 million, of which the military aid was €240 million.[10]
Overview
According to the 2016 census, 17,679
ethnic Ukrainians were living in Lithuania, mostly in
Vilnius,
Kaunas,
Klaipėda,
Šiauliai,
Jonava, and
Visaginas.[11] Moreover, Lithuania is a popular destination for the Ukrainian migrants and over 21,800 Ukrainians have work-based residence permits.[12][13] The Ukrainians evaluate Lithuania positively.[14][15]
Over 7,000
ethnic Lithuanians are living in Ukraine and are represented by the Lithuanian community of Ukraine organization there.[16][17] Lithuania consistently supports Ukraine in
Russo-Ukrainian War.[18][19][20] Lithuania has been a staunch supporter of Ukraine joining
NATO.[21]