Daily provocations of the Russian invaders can erupt into full-scale hostilities, – Oleksandr Turchynov

Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine Oleksandr Turchynov held a meeting with Speaker of the Seimas of the Republic of Lithuania Loreta Grauzhiniene.

During the meeting, the parties discussed the current situation in Ukraine in the context of Russia's constant aggressive actions.

According to Mr. Turchynov, for our country, Lithuania is not just a partner, but "a friend, whose support we felt during the Revolution of Dignity and the military confrontation with the Russian Federation" over the last two years.

While discussing the situation in the east of Ukraine, NSDC Secretary stressed that the European countries, in the context of peaceful settlement of the situation in Donbas, have to understand clearly that "Russia is not a third party, but the aggressor". "These are their weapons that are fired in the east, these are their soldiers who kill Ukrainians, these are they who unleashed the war", - he emphasized.

Oleksandr Turchynov also underlined that Russia is systematically testing new weapons in the east of Ukraine. "We see Russia accurately firing Ukrainian positions every day, among other things it uses new weapons and works out new embattling methods, completely ignoring the basic provisions of the Minsk agreements", - he noted, adding that as a result of attacks "every day we are bearing losses of our defenders in killed and wounded". NSDC Secretary of Ukraine stated that the dangerous trends observed in May "can erupt into full-scale hostilities".

"That is why, - Mr. Turchynov stressed, - we have to prepare for an adequate response to Russia's actions. We hope that our strategic partners will not only observe the aggravation of the situation".

According to NSDC Secretary, the only thing that can restrain Russia is the strong Ukrainian army. Therefore, he noticed, "it is extremely important to gain military-technical support from the West". "We are actively developing the military-industrial complex, but we are unable to completely satisfy the needs for the full range of weapons required to protect Ukraine", - he pointed out, adding that the decision of the allies on the military-technical assistance is needed "not after the activation of hostilities, but as preventive measures".

The interlocutors noted that "while Russia continues the aggressive actions and the occupation of the part of Ukrainian territory, in particular, of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea, the sanctions should not be lifted, but strengthened".

In her turn, Loreta Grauzhiniene highlighted that Lithuania has always been Ukraine's sincere friend. "I am confident that Ukraine will honorably pass all the tests on the way to Europe", - Speaker of the Seimas summarized.