Nauseda calls Ukraine's EU membership a strategic interest for Lithuania

Ukraine's accession to the European Union is a strategic interest for Lithuania and Vilnius is ready to make maximum use of its presidency of the Council of the EU in 2027 to promote Ukraine's European integration aspirations.

Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda said this during a joint press conference with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and his Polish counterpart Karol Nawrocki in Vilnius on Sunday, Ukrinform reports.

"Lithuania wants Ukraine to become a member of the European Union by 2030. This would be a decisive step toward ensuring long-term stability, security, and prosperity not only for this country but also for this region, for peace in this region. This is a strategic interest for Lithuania, and one we intend to focus on during our presidency of the Council of the EU in 2027," Nauseda said.

According to him, Ukraine's EU membership is not a matter for future generations but an issue for the current generation.

Nauseda expressed confidence that Ukraine could already gain access to the benefits of the EU single market in 2027 and complete the full legal accession process by 2030.

He also added that, alongside Ukraine, Moldova, Montenegro, and Albania have a real chance of fast-track accession to the EU.

During their meeting in Vilnius on Sunday, Presidents Volodymyr Zelensky and Gitanas Nauseda discussed support for Ukraine's energy system and military cooperation.

Photo: Office of the President of the Republic of Lithuania / official photos by Robertas Dačkus