Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky arrived in the Lithuanian capital on Wednesday morning, January 10.
Zelensky landed at Vilnius airport for an unexpected visit to the Baltic state, a major donor to the war-torn country, while other Kiev allies are hesitant about new aid.
During his visit, the Ukrainian leader will hold talks with Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda, the Prime Minister and the President of the Seimas.
He will also meet with representatives of political factions and the Ukrainian community.
“Security, EU and NATO integration, cooperation on electronic warfare and drones and further coordination of European support are on the agenda,” Zelensky said on Twitter.
The Baltic tour is Zelensky's first official trip abroad this year, AFP reports.
The visit comes at a time when other Kiev allies are failing to provide new aid nearly two years after the Russian invasion began.
Ukraine has faced heavy Russian fire in recent weeks and responded with attacks on the Russian border town of Belgorod.
Zelensky urged allies to maintain military support and held face-to-face talks with officials from the United States, Germany and Norway last month.
But an EU aid package worth 50 billion euros ($55 billion) is stuck in Brussels after a veto by Hungary, while the U.S. Congress remains divided over whether to provide additional aid to Ukraine.
Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania are our reliable friends and principle partners.
Today I arrived in Vilnius before heading to Tallinn and Riga.
I will hold talks with the President, the Prime Minister and the Speaker of the Seimas and meet with politicians, the media and the…
— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володиmir Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) January 10, 2024
“But above all, we are grateful. For uncompromising support to Ukraine since 2014 and especially now, during Russia's all-out aggression,” he added.
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After his visit to Lithuania, Zelensky will travel to Latvia and Estonia.