Zelensky invites Lithuanian speaker to take part in celebration of Ukraine's independence

The head of state said this during a meeting with the Lithuanian speaker on May 12, the President's Office reports.

"The Ukrainian president noted the importance of the speaker's first official visit to Ukraine as evidence of the traditionally high dynamics of the Ukrainian-Lithuanian political dialogue," the report reads.

Zelensky thanked Lithuania for supporting Ukraine's territorial integrity and sovereignty.

"We are very grateful for your continued support. Since the beginning of the war, Lithuania has been the first to support Ukraine and has not recognized the annexation of Crimea," he said.

The president invited the Lithuanian speaker to attend the celebrations of the 30th anniversary of Ukraine's independence.

Zelensky praised the decision of President of the Republic of Lithuania Gitanas Nausėda to take part in the inaugural summit of the Crimean Platform.

"This is an important moment for us, as there has not been a platform for the de-occupation of the Crimean peninsula for many years," the president stressed.

The interlocutors discussed measures taken by Ukraine and Lithuania to overcome the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, and noted the importance of ensuring equitable access of the countries to certified vaccines.

The speaker of the Lithuanian Seimas reaffirmed the invitation previously expressed to Volodymyr Zelensky by Gitanas Nausėda to take part in the fourth Ukraine Reform Conference, which will be held in Vilnius on July 7-8, 2021. Zelensky thanked the Lithuanian side for intensifying the preparatory process for the conference.

ish