Lithuania Parliament speaker visits Kyiv despite fear of shelling amid Russia-Ukraine war

Amid Russian military offensive in Ukraine, Lithuania Parliament Speaker Victoria Chmilite-Nielsen has arrived in Kyiv. She announced her visit to Kyiv on her Facebook account where she shared pictures from Ukrainian Parliament Verkhovna Ra, Eurointegration reported.

In her Facebook post, Victoria Chmilite-Nielsen stated that y could not stop Russian military action in 2008 and 2014, however, y need to act now. 

Lithuanian Parliament speaker Victoria Chmilite-Nielsen asserted that people of Ukraine have continued to pay  price each day She stated that armed forces of Ukraine are fighting for ir freedom as well as for whole of Europe. Victoria Chmilite-Nielsen highlighted that y need to continue to raise demand to stop "brutal aggression" of Russia and ensure territorial integrity of Ukraine. She called for providing consistent support to Ukraine with defense, financial and humanitarian assistance.  

In her Facebook post, Victoria Chmilite-Nielsen called for giving Ukraine status of a European Union candidate at earliest. She stressed need to begin preparing for war crimes trials and mentioning name of culprits. As per Eurointegration report, Victoria Chmilite-Nielsen called Russian President Vlimir Putin main culprit for raising fascism in Russia, Eurointegration reported. She asserted that y have been clear regarding ir stance which is standing alongside Ukraine until its victoria. In post, she said, "Our position is clear: to be toger with Ukraine until final victory."

Lithuania President attends NATO Summit 

Meanwhile, Lithuania President Gitanas Nauseda attended NATO summit in Brussels on Thursday, 24 March. Taking to his official Twitter handle, Gitanas Nauseda stated that he told his allies at meeting to acknowledge security situation and take action accordingly. He emphasized that "NATO is more united than ever," and ded that member states will continue to support Ukraine. 

Ukraine claims about 15800 Russian troops killed in offensive 

As Russian aggression in Ukraine continues for 29th day, Ukrainian Defence Ministry in a Facebook post on Thursday, March 24, claimed that about 15800 Russian troops have lost ir lives since Russia launched a military attack on Ukraine.

According to ministry, Russia has lost 1597 combat armoured machines, 280 artillery systems, 82 MLRS, 530 tanks, 124 helicopters, 108 aircraft, 47 anti-aircraft warfare systems and 1033 vehicles. Ukrainian Defence Ministry claimed that four vessels, 72 fuel tanks, 16 special equipment and 50 unmanned aerial vehicles of Russia have been destroyed. 

Image: AP/Facebook/@ViktorijaCmilyte-Nielsen