The Chief Diplomat of Lithuania Talks About the Difficulties of Traveling to Kyiv During the Russian Attack
Lithuanian Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis arrived in Kyiv on Monday as part of an official visit, during which he openly shared his impressions and observations regarding the current events in Ukraine. The most striking moment for the Lithuanian politician was how he had to make his way to the Ukrainian capital — through a "storm of missiles and drones" that rapidly and brutally struck Ukrainian cities from Russia. According to Gabrielius Landsbergis, this route was fraught with danger, as the day before, in the morning, his train had to stop several times amid fierce missile strikes and UAVs launched by Russian troops targeting Ukrainian civilian infrastructure. The minister explained that the primary targets of the Russian strikes were mainly the cities of Rivne and Dubno, which were hit by a "furious barrage" of missiles and drones, making travel over them extremely risky and tense. “It was a real storm of rockets and drones that our train had to navigate through, constantly accompanied by sirens and explosions. Just a few days earlier, Kharkiv experienced massive shelling that resulted in the deaths of more than a dozen people and injuries to many others, including many children. This is a deliberate act of terror aimed not only at destroying buildings but also at breaking the will of the Ukrainian people,” the Lithuanian minister emphasized. He underscored that such attacks are conscious attempts to destroy Ukraine's spirit, to shake its ability to defend itself, and to discourage resistance against Russian aggression. "But the Ukrainians demonstrate incredible resilience. They stand firm, defending not only their land but also fundamental values of freedom, democracy, and European principles that are shared by the entire world. In this war, Ukraine is effectively fighting on behalf of all of Europe, and its defense is the defense of our common values and security,” he stated. Gabrielius Landsbergis added that achieving peace through mere appeasement is impossible. "The international community must remain united in supporting Kyiv — militarily, economically, and politically. Only together can we prevent Russian terror and restore stability to the region,” he concluded. Currently, the Lithuanian minister has a series of important meetings scheduled in Kyiv. Specifically, he plans to speak with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba and Vice Prime Minister for European Integration Olga Stefanishyna. The most pressing topics for discussion are the situation on the front lines, ways to further strengthen Ukrainian defenses, and international support in overcoming the war. According to reports from Ukrainian military and intelligence services, in the night to Monday, Russian forces carried out their most powerful and massive strike against Ukraine — launching over 499 drones and missiles of various types. It is also noted that Ukrainian air defense systems managed to intercept 479 enemy targets. The greatest impact was on the Rivne region, where infrastructure suffered significant damage, and residents experienced a new wave of fear and anxiety. This attack once again underscores how tense and ruthless the war has become, continuing for over a year. Despite extensive destruction and human losses, Ukraine continues to demonstrate incredible resilience and faith in victory, receiving support from friendly countries and international organizations. As the world discusses ways to further assist, Ukrainian society and authorities are showing daily their unbreakable spirit and determination to achieve final victory over the aggressor.