Vilnius, January 25 (ELTA) – President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky says Ukraine will be fully ready in 2027 to become a member of the European Union. On Sunday, Zelensky visited Vilnius to meet with President of Lithuania Gitanas Nausėda and President of Poland Karol Nawrocki, and to participate in the commemoration of the 163rd anniversary of the January Uprising.

President Zelensky says Ukraine is willing and will be technically ready for EU accession in 2027. According to him, Ukraine is prepared to open all clusters of the EU accession process in the second half of 2026 and will be fully ready in 2027.

Therefore, Zelensky expressed hope that Lithuania, during its Presidency of the Council of the EU, would support Ukraine’s strive to become a member of the EU.

Lithuania will hold the Presidency of the Council of the EU in the first half of 2027.

Zelensky says Ukraine should be in the EU and EU membership is the priority. He welcomed Lithuania and Poland supporting Ukraine’s EU membership aspirations, which is one of security guarantees.

Zelensky emphasised that Ukraine needs security guarantees and this also includes bilateral guarantees granted by the USA. He said the document in question has been fully prepared and now partners have to set the date when it would be signed. It would then have to be ratified by the US Congress and Ukraine’s Verkhovna Rada.

Vilnius, January 25 (ELTA) – Lithuania has already allocated EUR 1 billion in military aid to Ukraine since the start of Russia’s full scale invasion in 2022, President Gitanas Nausėda said Sunday. In Vilnius, the heads of state of Lithuania, Poland and Ukraine attended the 163rd commemoration of the January Uprising.

“Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine undoubtedly remains to be the main challenge for regional security. Lithuania and Poland have been providing military, financial, humanitarian and political support to Ukraine since the start of the war. Lithuania has already provided Ukraine military aid for EUR 1 billion,” Nausėda said.

The president said that Sunday’s meeting with President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky and President of Poland Karol Nawrocki focused on containing Russia. 

According to Nausėda, President Zelensky presented progress on Ukraine peace talks held at the initiative of US President Donald Trump. The Lithuanian president added that, as has been witnessed numerous times, Russia avoids committing to a just and sustainable peace and rejects a ceasefire as a necessary introduction to peace.

Nausėda also noted that continued cooperation of Lithuania, Poland and Ukraine in the so-called Lublin Triangle format is significant for fostering shared historical heritage.

On 25 January in Vilnius, the presidents of Lithuania, Poland and Ukraine, together with Lithuanian, Polish and Ukrainian first ladies, participated in the 163rd commemoration of the January Uprising.

Vilnius, January 25 (ELTA) – President Gitanas Nausėda, together with the presidents of Poland and Ukraine, took part in the commemorative events marking anniversary of the 1863–1864 Uprising against the Russian occupation in Vilnius.

The president and First Lady Diana Nausėdienė, together with the President of the Republic of Poland Karol Nawrocki and Mrs Marta Nawrocka, as well as President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky and Mrs Olena Zelenska, attended Holy Mass for the insurgents at Vilnius Cathedral Basilica.

In his address following the Holy Mass, President Nausėda noted that the participants of the 1863 Uprising, even after becoming victims of executions and deportations, remained undefeated.

“Despite the painful lessons of earlier resistance movements in which their grandparents and parents had participated, and despite the brutal reprisals that followed, the insurgents could not accept life under oppression. Having no personal experience of living in a free country, they nevertheless preserved a boundless faith in freedom as their most precious legacy. And they went into the common struggle under one banner – that of the Eagle, the Vytis, and the Archangel,” the president said.

Gitanas Nausėda emphasised that the heroic efforts of the insurgents paved the way for new forms of resistance. Growing national movements eventually became the essential force of liberation and the foundation of future independent states.

“It was precisely this inherited tradition of freedom that forever separated our nations – Lithuanians, Poles, Ukrainians, Belarusians – from Russia, which made every effort, but failed, to break down this invisible yet incredibly strong wall. And to this very day, we are guided by that same commitment to freedom – by the refusal to submit and to reconcile with ruthless tyranny,” the president said.

According to President Nausėda, this historical commitment to freedom is today most clearly visible in Ukraine, where for nearly four years, all Kremlin efforts to extinguish Ukrainians’ hope for a freer, brighter and more prosperous life have been shattered. The president stressed that the struggle of the insurgents continues to inspire us to remain vigilant in today’s challenging reality.

“Today, we look to the future without fear, but with boundless determination to defend and preserve the freedom for which our ancestors fought selflessly and without compromise. We are joining forces, strengthening the resilience of our countries, and rallying allies to meet any challenges that may lie ahead. Today, we thank our heroes who showed us the way, and we thank fighting Ukraine, which is so bravely and resolutely walking that path,” the president said.

At a solemn ceremony at the chapel of the Old Rasos Cemetery, the leaders of Lithuania, Poland and Ukraine, together with representatives of the Belarusian democratic society, laid wreaths in memory of the leaders and participants of the Uprising.

Buried at this cemetery are the leaders of the Uprising, Zigmantas Sierakauskas and Konstantinas Kalinauskas, along with 18 other insurgents whose remains were found on Gediminas Hill in 2017. In 2023, at the president’s initiative, the Seimas declared 22 January — the day marking the outbreak of the 1863–1864 Uprising against Russian occupation – a memorable day.

Vilnius, January 25 (ELTA) – On Sunday, President Gitanas Nausėda met in Vilnius with Polish President Karol Nawrocki, who had arrived for the commemoration of the 1863–1864 Uprising, reports the president’s press service.

During their meeting, the leaders focused on changes in the international security environment and the roles of Lithuania and Poland in responding to long-term threats in Europe. The presidents exchanged assessments of the regional situation and discussed the importance of coordinated actions within the European Union and NATO, as well as their shared responsibility in mobilising partners for decisions that strengthen stability across the region.

President Nausėda emphasised that their shared historical experience commits both countries to act together today. He underlined that Lithuania and Poland consistently support efforts to strengthen the transatlantic bond, which remains a cornerstone of European security.

“A strong transatlantic link is essential to maintaining credible deterrence and long-term security. Europe must take greater responsibility for its own defence while working closely with the United States,” the president said.

Speaking on support for Ukraine, the president noted that Ukraine’s ability to defend itself is a key factor determining the security of the entire European continent. Therefore military, political and financial support must be planned as long-term measures rather than short-term solutions.

Regarding economic cooperation, it was emphasised that Poland remains Lithuania’s most important trading partner. Joint initiatives in defence industries, high technologies, energy, and innovation create additional value for the entire region. Special emphasis was placed on the importance of strategic transport and energy links in strengthening economic resilience.

The president further stressed that this meeting serves as yet another confirmation of the mature strategic partnership between Lithuania and Poland, built not only on historical heritage but also on a shared vision for strengthening European security and defence.

Vilnius, January 25 (ELTA) – On Sunday, Lithuania’s First Lady Diana Nausėdienė met with Poland’s First Lady Marta Nawrocka in Vilnius, reports the presidency.

During the meeting, the First Ladies discussed priorities for bilateral cooperation between Lithuania and Poland in the area of soft power. Diana Nausėdienė emphasised that the activities of first ladies and soft power instruments make a significant contribution to strengthening relations between the states by promoting mutual understanding through people-to-people connections, as well as cultural, social, and academic exchanges. The first ladies of Lithuania and Poland agreed to pursue more active cooperation in the fields of fostering historical memory, education, culture, and the strengthening of national identity.

The discussion also focused on international initiatives. The first lady of Lithuania presented plans for Lithuania to join the initiative of the US First Lady Melania Trump, Fostering the Future Together, which aims to empower children through the use of technology and innovation in education, while emphasizing the safety of children and youth in the digital space.

The meeting also addressed possibilities for trilateral cooperation among the first ladies of Lithuania, Poland, and Ukraine. The first lady of Lithuania highlighted the symbolic significance of the commemorations of the January Uprising in Warsaw and Vilnius, which honour the shared experience of the Lithuanian, Polish, and Ukrainian peoples in their struggle against Russian oppression, as well as the importance of this experience for the independence and sovereignty of these nations.

Vilnius, January 25 (ELTA) – On Sunday in Vilnius, Lithuania’s First Lady Diana Nausėdienė met with Ukraine’s First Lady Olena Zelenska to discuss the directions of the Ukrainian Centre’s activities, strengthening the Ukrainian community in Lithuania, and further institutional cooperation, said the presidency.

Diana Nausėdienė noted that the Ukrainian Centre has become a significant social innovation that has received European recognition and support. The first lady emphasised that the Centre has created conditions for nurturing Ukrainian identity, strengthening community ties, and promoting regional development in Lithuania.

Mrs Nausėdienė underlined that the knowledge and competencies accumulated will remain important in the post-war period, contributing to the resilience and reintegration of the Ukrainian society.

The meeting further addressed the international conference on 21 February, dedicated to mark the anniversary of Russia’s aggression against Ukraine. The event is being organized by the Ukrainian Centre together with its founders – the Embassy of Ukraine in Vilnius, the Office of the President of the Republic of Lithuania, and Vytautas Magnus University. The conference is set to examine post-war reintegration of the Ukrainian society in the context of European integration, with particular focus on the social system, the labour market, and economic recovery.

The first ladies agreed that such academic and institutional exchanges strengthen international cooperation and contribute to Ukraine’s strategic goals, such as strengthening the resilience of society, the country’s reconstruction, and advancing its integration into the European Union.

Vilnius, January 25 (ELTA) – President Gitanas Nausėda met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Vilnius on Sunday. The meeting focused on the progress of peace negotiations, security guarantees, and continued military support for Ukraine, reports the president’s press service.

The Lithuanian leader welcomed Ukraine’s constructive position in the ongoing peace negotiations and emphasized that decisions on the future of European security cannot be made without Europe’s participation.

The presidents discussed planning for security guarantees. President Nausėda underlined the critical importance of the role of the United States, together with European forces within the Coalition of the Willing, in ensuring the monitoring of a ceasefire. The Lithuanian leader also stressed that strong Ukrainian armed forces would be a key deterrent factor in times of peace.

The meeting also addressed Ukraine’s urgent air defence needs and bilateral cooperation in the defence industry.

President Nausėda emphasised that Lithuania remains among Ukraine’s most active supporters: total military assistance has already exceeded one billion euros, and in 2025 Lithuania’s military support reached 0.28% of GDP, surpassing its bilateral commitment to Ukraine. Lithuania will also continue to participate in international initiatives, including the supply of ammunition and the demining coalition, under which Ukrainian demining units have already been trained and equipped.

Vilnius, January 25 (ELTA) – President Gitanas Nausėda met with Polish President Karol Nawrocki in Warsaw on Saturday, said the president’s press service.

During the meeting, Lithuanian and Polish cooperation in the field of defence and security, transatlantic relations, and support for Ukraine were discussed.

“We are grateful to Poland for its significant contribution to strengthening regional security. The presence of Polish troops in Lithuania – both in air policing missions and in joint exercises – demonstrates our close military cooperation and a strong commitment to collective defence,” the head of state said.

President Nausėda emphasised that Lithuania and Poland are working closely on the implementation of the regional initiatives Eastern Shield and the Baltic Defence Line, which are vital to the security of the entire region. Efforts are under way to secure substantial European Union funding for these projects.

“Our top priority today is to increase real military capabilities as quickly as possible – only these can deter Russia. We must also increase support for Ukraine, which is defending not only its independence, but the security of all of Europe,” the Lithuanian leader said.

The presidents of Lithuania and Poland also discussed the prospects of the planned new military training ground near the so-called Suwałki Corridor. According to President Gitanas Nausėda, this is a strategically important decision for the defence of the entire eastern Baltic region.

“We welcome Poland’s readiness to use this training ground. It will allow us to strengthen not only cooperation between our armed forces, but also the defence of the Suwałki Corridor. We also encourage to consider expanding the training ground into Polish territory to create a joint military facility. This would be a unique solution in the NATO context – a joint training and exercise area dedicated to protecting the Alliance’s eastern flank,” the president stated.

President Nausėda also raised the idea of establishing a joint Suwałki–Lazdijai free economic zone. He noted that such a project would stimulate economic growth and employment in the border regions and serve as an economic gateway to both markets.

According to the president, this would also support potential joint defence industry projects and create broader opportunities for attracting EU funding, particularly in high value-added manufacturing, electronics, life sciences, artificial intelligence, data centres, services, and other sectors.

First Lady Diana Nausėdienė met with the First Lady of Poland, Marta Nawrocka, in Warsaw as well. Their discussion focused on opportunities for cooperation in developing and strengthening cultural, educational, social, and health promotion initiatives, as well as engagement in international formats and organisations.

Vilnius, January 25 (ELTA) – President Gitanas Nausėda, together with Polish President Karol Nawrocki, attended the commemoration of the January Uprising on Saturday in Warsaw, reports the presidency.

In his speech, Nausėda emphasised that Lithuania and Poland are brotherly nations that know very well what it means to lose freedom, to fight for it, to regain it, and to defend it. Therefore, the president noted, the uprising that broke out 163 years ago is not merely a distant echo of the past for these two nations.

“Its memory runs through the sacred pages of our history: through the restoration of independent states, occupations, the oppression of totalitarian regimes, resistance, the dissident movement, the years of restored national dignity, and right up to the present day. In the light of the uprising, the Warsaw Citadel stands as a monument to freedom that prevailed, overcoming every obstacle,” the president spoke.

According to the Lithuanian leader, each of us carries the January Uprising within us. It reminds us that freedom cannot be taken for granted. Every day, every week, every month, every year, we must work for freedom.

Nausėda noted that these days, as we read the January Uprising Manifesto’s call “to the final battle of European civilisation against the savage barbarism of Asia,” we see Russia once again openly threatening the entire civilized world. Threatening Western civilisation and every freedom-loving nation that refuses to bow and submit.

“In its attempt to restore the empire, Russia has been attacking Ukraine for almost four years now. It attacks what it can least tolerate in Ukraine – the very idea of freedom. The same idea of freedom so precious to Lithuania, to Poland, and to all states grounded in democratic values. Today, we are the target of a common enemy. With our courage, resilience, and success, we pose a threat to the Kremlin dictator, who can offer the millions he has enslaved nothing but more suffering,” the Lithuanian leader underlined in his address.

“We are worthy descendants of the January insurgents – and we must remain so. I have no doubt that we will continue to smoothly develop our strategic partnership and work tirelessly in the name of freedom. May the January Uprising, in which Lithuanians, Poles, Belarusians, and Ukrainians fought together under one banner, become a source of inspiration for our entire region,” President Nausėda emphasised

Vilnius, January 25 (ELTA) – President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky has arrived for a visit to Lithuania on Saturday evening, news website delfi.lt reports.

Earlier, President of Lithuania Gitanas Nausėda confirmed that Zelensky would visit Lithuania on Sunday, 25 January.

“I can confirm that he is coming to Vilnius,” Nausėda told reporters during a visit to Warsaw on Saturday.

However, the head of state regretted that unofficial information about the upcoming visit was made public in advance as he cited security concerns.

Ukrainian President Zelensky, together with Lithuanian President Nausėda and Polish President Karol Nawrocki will participate in the 163rd anniversary of the January Uprising. On Saturday, Nausėda visited Warsaw to commemorate this event.

Zelensky previously visited Lithuania in June 2025 to attend the Vilnius Summit.