Italy awards Nausėda its highest honour

Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda received Italy’s highest honour on Tuesday: the Grand Cross with Grand Cordon of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic, LRT reported.

Italian President Sergio Mattarella presented the award to Nausėda in Rome. The two leaders discussed bilateral cooperation, cultural and historical ties, European security and defence, support for Ukraine, and Lithuania’s upcoming presidency of the Council of the European Union.

Nausėda described Italy as an important partner and ally in the EU and NATO. He thanked Italy for its active participation in NATO’s air policing mission in the Baltic states and its contribution to the security of Lithuania and the region.

“The presence of Italian troops in our region is a concrete example of allied solidarity,” Nausėda said. He called for stronger defences on NATO’s eastern flank, greater practical defence capabilities and the proper implementation of the alliance’s defence plans.

On Russia’s war against Ukraine, Nausėda said European security depended on Ukraine’s ability to defend itself against Russian aggression. He urged Europe to maintain unity and continue supporting Ukraine, and highlighted the urgent need to return Ukrainian children abducted and deported to Russia. He said Lithuania supports practical efforts to find and return the children, reunite them with their families and help them reintegrate.

The leaders also discussed Lithuania’s forthcoming six-month presidency of the Council of the EU, which begins on January 1, 2027. Nausėda said Lithuania would seek to strengthen European unity, security and resilience, maintain comprehensive support for Ukraine, sustain the momentum of EU enlargement and improve Europe’s competitiveness.