Lithuania assures Ukraine of support in defense, security reforms

Lithuanian Foreign Minister Linas Linkevicius said on Thursday the country is ready to support Ukraine's reforms in defense and security.

Linkevicius met with visiting Ukrainian Defense Minister Stepan Poltorak who started a two-day visit to the Baltic country on Thursday.

According to an announcement from Lithuanian foreign ministry, both ministers discussed the security situation in eastern Ukraine, the country's defense reform, and training assistance to the Ukrainian military.

Linkevicius assured that Lithuania will continue supporting Ukraine in defense.

"We wish to continue to train Ukrainian soldiers and benefit from their invaluable experience, to provide military assistance, to treat injured soldiers and, along with NATO partners, to participate in multilateral projects aimed at helping to implement the Ukrainian military reform," Linkevicius was quoted as saying in the announcement.

The Ukrainian defense minister is also set to meet with his Lithuanian counterpart Raimundas Karoblis.

Poltorak also met with Lithuanian parliament's leaders and parliamentary national security and defense committee to discuss security.

According to the Lithuanian defense ministry, the Lithuanian army has been participating in Ukraine soldiers' training programs since 2015. More than 200 Lithuanian instructors were sent to Ukraine during 2016.

Lithuania intensified its assistance to Ukraine following tensions in the region that erupted with conflicts in eastern Ukraine in 2014. Endit