The Seimas of Lithuania called on the European Union to urgently grant Ukraine the status of a candidate for EU membership

It is reported by EN with reference to LRT.

123 deputies voted for the resolution "On granting Ukraine the status of a candidate country and full membership of Ukraine in the EU".

"In Ukraine, it is necessary to use the accelerated procedure for admission to the EU without delay", the document says.

The resolution notes that Ukraine has already begun moving towards membership more than a decade ago, has been strengthening ties with the EU through the Association Agreement for the past five years, and granting the status of a candidate country now would be an important signal of support for Ukrainians.

"The admission to the EU of a country whose people have demonstrated incredible freedom and determination in the struggle for European values ​​will inspire and strengthen the European family", the text says.

The Seimas expresses its readiness to support Ukraine in every possible way on the path to EU membership.

“Now, as our debate continues, children are dying in Ukraine, Russian troops are attacking civilian infrastructure, maternity hospitals and nuclear power plants. This is a David and Goliath fight, and each of us, like every sovereign state, including the EU, faces a choice - Who are we with? Didn't we make a mistake by not starting negotiations on membership earlier? Perhaps then we would have a different reality today", Laima Andrikienė, Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee, said.