Lithuania still has weapons it could send to Ukraine, Chief of Defence Lieutenant General Valdemaras Rupšys said on Tuesday.
“We are looking at what other options there are. There are still some, and we are still discussing with the key allies possible supply lines to rebuild that capability if we give it [to Ukraine],” Rupšys told reporters in the port city of Klaipėda.
“Also, we are consulting with the Ukrainian side about what they need,” he added.
According to Rupšys, Ukraine needs equipment that its forces can use effectively. He noted that Lithuania’s assistance also includes training.
Vilnius has already handed over Stinger missile systems, other anti-tank and anti-aircraft weapons, as well as ammunition to Kyiv.
Recently, Defence Minister Arvydas Anšauskas said the residual value of the assistance amounts to tens of millions of euros, but the replacement value could be five to ten times higher.
Lithuania is also training Ukrainian troops to use US-made anti-tank weapons.
Due to the hostilities in Ukraine, NATO and other allied countries began to actively supply weapons to Ukraine as military assistance. More than 25 countries have joined in delivering support to Ukraine. The USA has sent billions of dollars in missiles, ammunition and other items there. The EU signed off on a €500 million package — a first for the 27-country European bloc — to help arm Ukraine. And both Finland and Germany have rewritten long-standing policy that barred exporting weapons into war zones.
All the Baltic states also provided military, financial and humanitarian assistance to Ukraine. For example, Lithuania has already sent Stinger anti-aircraft missile systems and ammunition on 13 February 2022. Further €10 million military aid and continuous support was agreed on 23 March 2022. On 21 April 2022, it was announced that since then Lithuania donated 120 mm heavy mortars, anti-tank and anti-aircraft weapons, ammunition, grenades, machine guns, submachine guns and other equipment. €23 million in military equipment since 2014. Humanitarian aid amounted €4 million in medical assistance sent on early March, 2022 and 15.4 thousand atropine ampoules from private donations sent on April 8, 2022.
I’d like to ask, but what is left for the security needs of Lithuania? Lithuania can leave its armed forces and citizens without a livelihood with such volumes of assistance. Any help is good in moderation!