Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky Lands in Lithuania for Unplanned Visit
On Wednesday morning, Jan. 10, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky arrived in the Lithuanian capital for an unexpected visit. Zelensky landed at Vilnius airport, kicking off a tour of the Baltic states, beginning with Lithuania.
The visit comes as other Kyiv allies waver on providing fresh aid to Ukraine, which has been under intense Russian shelling in recent weeks. Zelensky is scheduled to meet with Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda, the Prime Minister, the Speaker of the Seimas, as well as representatives from political factions and the Ukrainian community.
Key topics on the agenda for the discussions include security, EU and NATO integration, cooperation on electronic warfare and drones, and further coordination of European support.
Following his visit to Lithuania, Zelensky is set to travel to Latvia and Estonia, where he is expected to hold talks with top officials and meet with politicians, the media, and the Ukrainian community.
The visit to the Baltic states marks Zelensky’s first official trip abroad this year. The Ukrainian leader has been urging allies to keep military support flowing, as Ukraine continues to face the impact of Russia’s invasion, with ongoing tensions at the border and retaliatory strikes on Russia’s border city of Belgorod.
Zelensky expressed gratitude to Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania, referring to them as “reliable friends and principled partners” for their unwavering support for Ukraine, especially during Russia’s full-scale aggression since 2014.
The President’s visit to the Baltic states comes at a critical time as Ukraine seeks continued international support in the face of ongoing conflict and humanitarian challenges resulting from the conflict with Russia.