Ukrainian flags on Lithuanian streets prove that we are already allies - Zelensky in Vilnius
In the Republic of Lithuania, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky and First Lady Olena Zelenska took part in an event organized as part of the "Raising the Flag for Ukraine in NATO" campaign.
As informs Censor.NЕТ, this is stated by рress service of President.
President of Lithuania Gitanas Nausėda and First Lady Dalia Nausėdienė met Volodymyr and Olena Zelensky on Lukiskis Square in Vilnius.
The two heads of state received from the hands of Jonas Ohman, a volunteer and co-founder of the Blue and Yellow volunteer movement, a flag of Ukraine handed over by the Ukrainian military from the city of Bakhmut in Donetsk Oblast, where fierce fighting with the Russian occupiers continues. Marathon runners also carried the flag through the streets of Vilnius.
In his speech, the President of Lithuania noted that during his recent visit to Kyiv, he had shared with Volodymyr Zelenskyy the idea of raising the flag from the battlefield on Vilnius Square, which would be delivered by runners, and expressed his joy that it had been organized.
"I am happy that we are moving forward. And I think that Ukraine will indeed become a NATO member. We have no right to act otherwise, because now the price Ukraine is paying is the highest. It is the price of blood. At the cost of their blood, their lives, Ukrainians are giving us time to prepare and give a worthy response to Russia. Russia will not win," Gitanas Nausėda said.
Volodymyr Zelensky, for his part, emphasized that here in Vilnius, the progress of Europe is very clearly visible, where people know what security is and how to achieve it.
"And they know that security is together with Ukraine. I am grateful to you, Vilnius, and to all Lithuanian cities and communities for every call in support of Ukraine, for sheltering our people who have fled the fighting here in Lithuania. Thank you for your help to our defense, for your clear, honest and - what is important - courageous position on inviting Ukraine to NATO. The Ukrainian flags on Lithuanian streets clearly prove that we are already allies, and Ukraine will defend both its freedom and yours! And no one should ever look back at Moscow," the Head of State emphasized.
He also noted a great personal assistance of Gitanas Nausėda.
The Head of State emphasized that the Ukrainian battle flag that will be flown in Vilnius today was brought from the city of Bakhmut, where one of the most decisive battles for freedom in Europe took place, and this is how our children and grandchildren will remember it.
"This battle flag of ours from Bakhmut means that Lithuanians will never again have to fight against Russian soldiers, neither under the Vilnius TV tower nor in any other place in your capital, your country! Lithuania will always be yours alone! This flag of ours means that there will never again be deportations from the Baltic States to Siberia. There will never again be the partition of Poland and the humiliation of Hungary by the invaders. There will never again be tanks in Prague and "winter wars" against the freedom of Finland... There will be no more occupations in Europe!" Volodymyr Zelensky emphasized.
According to the President, although the Ukrainian flag is pierced by bullets, it is alive, proud and free, and this means that every flag of European countries will be alive, proud and free.
"There, in the ruins of Bakhmut, on the fields of other battles in Ukraine, Russian aggressive ambitions will remain crushed. And not Ukraine or anyone else in our Europe, but they, Russian aggressive ambitions, will be in ruins," the Head of State emphasized.
He noted that he believed in the decision of Ukraine's partners that would make NATO strong and decisive.
"I would like this belief to become confidence - confidence in the decisions we deserve - all of us deserve - and which every our soldier, every our citizen, every our mother, every our child expects. And is that too much to ask for? NATO will give Ukraine security. Ukraine will make the Alliance stronger," Volodymyr Zelenskyy said.
After the speeches, the National Anthem of Ukraine was played. The Mayor of Vilnius Valdas Benkunskas solemnly raised the flag of Ukraine on Lukiskes Square.
