Darius Semaška

Every Ukrainian child must return home. At the high-level event on accountability for #Ukraine in New York, I condemned Russia’s systematic deportation, indoctrination and militarization of Ukrainian children. These practices may amount to crimes against humanity. Those responsible must be held accountable. Lithuania is acting through our Children First initiative, committing at least €10 million to support the return, rehabilitation and reintegration of Ukrainian children. We must accelerate the establishment of the Special Tribunal, strengthen international accountability mechanisms, and ensure Russia pays for the harm it has caused.

Today, Lithuania commemorates Wolf Children Remembrance Day. After #WWII, thousands of orphaned #German children were left behind in East Prussia, facing hunger, violence, and the brutality of the Soviet army. Many found refuge in #Lithuania. Their story is a stark reminder that impunity allows history to repeat itself. Remembering the #WolfChildren means exposing Soviet crimes, honoring those who survived them, and acknowledging a painful truth: when perpetrators are not held accountable, violence returns. Today, the suffering of the Wolf Children echoes in the lives of #Ukrainian children targeted by Russia’s war - displaced, deported, and robbed of their childhood. Photo credit: Vilko vaikai/ Wolfskinder (@Vilkovaikai)

🇱🇹🇩🇰 Full solidarity with our #NATO ally #Denmark. A Russian frigate firing flares at a Danish military helicopter in international waters is a blatant act of intimidation. It is yet another example of Russia’s reckless and irresponsible behaviour, which threatens security in the Baltic Sea region. Denmark has been among #Ukraine’s strongest supporters and a steadfast contributor to Baltic Sea security. Allies stand united. Russia will neither intimidate nor divide us @larsloekke

#Lithuania stands in full solidarity with #Germany. The Leipzig incident is another reckless Russian attempt to test our resolve through hostile actions across Europe. We cannot treat these incidents in isolation. They form part of a broader campaign aimed at undermining our security and cohesion. Fully in line with the responsive measures of the German authorities, malign actions have consequences. We remain united with our Allies and partners in increasing pressure on Russia and in maintaining steadfast support for #Ukraine. @AussenMinDE

On this day, 87 years ago, the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact and its secret protocols redrew the map of Europe and condemned entire nations to war, Soviet and Nazi occupation, and immense suffering. The fate of millions was decided behind closed doors, stripping countries of their independence and statehood, and people of their freedom and, ultimately, their lives. It paved the way for one of the darkest chapters in human history: the Second World War, the Holocaust, mass repression and deportation, and immeasurable human loss. Today serves as a reminder that freedom, sovereignty, and human dignity can never be taken for granted. When tyrannies strike deals over the fate of nations, the consequences are devastating. Yet history also teaches another lesson: truth endures, and the desire for freedom cannot be extinguished. No regime, no occupation, and no tyranny can permanently suppress a people’s aspiration to live freely and determine their own future. The restoration of independence by nations that were once condemned to disappear from the map reminds us that injustice may prevail for a time, but the human spirit’s pursuit of freedom and truth is stronger.

At the #AnkaraSummit, together with President @GitanasNauseda and Minister of Defense @robertas_kaunas, we are sending a clear message from Lithuania to our Allies: it's time to turn pledges into capabilities. Join the 5% Club! This is what all #NATO Allies committed to. #Lithuania is already in the 5% Club, but it's pretty lonely over here. Security isn't built on promises - it’s built on capabilities backed by investment. If we are serious about deterrence, 5% for defence must be the floor, not the ceiling. Less talk. More action.