Nausėda urges swift action on joint drone production with Ukraine

Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky discussed joint drone production, long-term financial support for Kyiv and diplomatic efforts to end Russia’s war against Ukraine in Dublin on Wednesday, LRT reported.

Nausėda said an agreement on joint production should quickly lead to concrete results. In early November, Lithuania proposed producing drones and counter-drone systems jointly in Lithuania. It has pledged €200 million for the first year of production and at least €800 million by 2030.

“It is important to reach agreement on Lithuania’s proposal as soon as possible and begin implementing it,” Nausėda said, adding that this would require sustainable, long-term funding from national and EU sources. Lithuania has committed to providing military support to Ukraine worth 0.25% of its gross domestic product each year.

Nausėda said predictable, long-term funding for Ukraine was a matter of European security and shared responsibility. He called for a reliable solution to meet Ukraine’s additional funding needs in 2027 and in the EU’s 2028–2034 multiannual financial framework. He said support should not be reduced and described a proposed €100 billion reserve for Ukraine as the minimum needed for reconstruction and reforms related to EU membership.

Discussing a meeting of negotiating teams in Abu Dhabi, Nausėda said meaningful peace talks could begin only after Russia ended the war and a ceasefire was established. Any peace agreement, he said, must provide Ukraine with reliable security guarantees. Decisions on Ukraine must not be made without Ukraine, he added, and decisions on Europe must involve Europe fully.

Nausėda said Lithuania would continue supporting Ukraine’s efforts to achieve a just and lasting peace on its terms, and would keep providing and mobilising assistance to strengthen its defence capabilities and negotiating position. The two presidents met on the sidelines of the European Political Community summit, scheduled to take place in Dublin on Thursday.