Lithuania is prepared to dispatch soldiers to Ukraine as part of a training mission, according to Prime Minister Ingrid Šimonite.

Šimonite informed the FT that she has obtained parliamentary approval to send troops to Ukraine for exercises, a move her government has previously signaled. However, Kyiv has not yet made a formal request.

Acknowledging that such action could be perceived as provocative by Russia, Šimonite stated:

"If we were solely concerned about Russia's reaction, we wouldn't be able to take any action. Every other week, there are threats of nuclear strikes," remarked the Lithuanian Prime Minister.

This week, in response to comments made by French President Emmanuel Macron, the Russian Federation conducted exercises involving tactical nuclear weapons. However, Šimonite expressed skepticism about the likelihood of nuclear weapons being deployed, noting that radioactive fallout would affect Russia as well.

Šimonite also addressed reports suggesting that Lithuania would assist in repatriating Ukrainian men of draft age:

"We will not organize deportations or actively search for Ukrainian men within the country, as doing so would be illegal," Šimonite clarified, highlighting that the EU has guaranteed their protection until March 2025.

Nevertheless, Šimonite stated that if Kyiv provides evidence that certain individuals are evading military service, they may be denied permanent residency permits.