Secretary of the NSDC of Ukraine Oleksandr Turchynov held a meeting with Minister of national defense of the Republic of Lithuania Raimundas Karoblis

Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine Oleksandr Turchynov held a meeting with Minister of national defense of the Republic of Lithuania Raimundas Karoblis.

According to Mr. Turchynov, Ukraine has always felt the support of the people and the leadership of Lithuania. "The first foreign politicians to address the people on Maidan were Lithuanians", - he reminded adding that over the past three years, our relations strengthened even more.

The interlocutors discussed the current situation in the region that has developed as a result of Russia's aggressive actions. "For Russia, destabilizing the situation in Ukraine is the path of strengthening its position in the region", - Secretary of the NSDC of Ukraine noticed stressing that hybrid warfare today is conducted not only against Ukraine but the EU as well. "The Kremlin is trying to split the unity of the EU in every way", - he stated.

Oleksandr Turchynov reported that the escalation near Avdiivka occurred after the inspection visit of the OSCE in eastern Ukraine was ended: "Over the day before last, we lost 4 soldiers, 12 were wounded, and over the last day, we already have 3 killed and much more wounded - 23, but losses of Russian hybrid forces far outnumber ours. All their attempts to break through our defense are doomed to failure".

The interlocutors discussed the need to strengthen bilateral military-technical cooperation. Moreover, they acknowledged that there is no alternative to sanctions against Russia as the aggressor state.

The parties agreed on the need for close coordination of actions of the law enforcement agencies in the conditions of Russia's aggressive policy in Europe.