Foreign Ministers of Ukraine and Lithuania visit Kherson and Mykolaiv

On Tuesday, 10 June, Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha and Lithuania’s Foreign Minister Kęstutis Budrys visited Kherson and Mykolaiv.

The Lithuanian Foreign Minister became the first foreign minister to visit Kherson since its liberation in autumn 2022.

“This is a powerful gesture of solidarity with our people amid ongoing russian terror against Kherson,” Andrii Sybiha emphasised.

In Kherson, the ministers visited a critical infrastructure facility and an underground school attended by over 120 children. They also toured an underground perinatal centre, where 61 babies have been born since the start of the year.

“Kherson region continues to live, work, and persevere despite the challenges of war. It was important for us to visit the city of Kherson and Kherson region together with our Lithuanian friends. We spoke with locals and heard their urgent needs directly. We will work together to secure additional assistance for Kherson from international partners,” Ukraine’s Foreign Minister stated.

The ministers discussed the current situation in the city and region with Kherson Regional Military Administration Head Oleksandr Prokudin, focusing on protection needs against russian terror and shelling, as well as the most pressing needs of the population.

The foreign ministers also visited Mykolaiv, where they paid tribute to the heroes who lost their lives defending Ukraine against russia’s full-scale invasion.

The ministers discussed Lithuania’s significant role in Ukraine’s reconstruction. Andrii Sybiha thanked Lithuanian partners for key projects in Mykolaiv region, including the restoration of schools and energy infrastructure and the construction of bomb shelters.

Notably, the day before, the foreign ministers held talks in Kyiv, coordinating further steps to counter russia’s full-scale aggression, achieve a just, lasting, and comprehensive peace for Ukraine, and support the country’s reconstruction.

They discussed continued cooperation to strengthen Ukraine’s defence capabilities, increase sanctions, and further isolate russia internationally.

Lithuania remains committed to supporting supporter of Ukraine’s integration into the EU and NATO. It is also a leading donor to Ukraine, ranking among the top contributors in terms of aid as a percentage of its national GDP.