Lithuania Vows 0.25%-of-GDP Backing and €220 Million Package as Kyiv Advances Joint Defense Production

Overview

• Newly appointed Defence Minister Robertas Kaunas visited Kyiv and met President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Defence Minister Denys Shmyhal to review battlefield needs and co‑production plans.
• Vilnius confirmed annual support equal to at least 0.25% of GDP and about €220 million in near‑term military aid, including upcoming contributions via PURL, Patriot and the Czech ammunition initiatives.
• Ukraine thanked Lithuania for joining PURL to finance U.S. systems, citing funds for Patriot PAC‑3 missiles intended to strengthen protection against missile and drone attacks.
• Officials identified joint manufacturing options covering maritime drones, radars and anti‑personnel mines, while Lithuania noted support for Ukraine’s AN‑196 Liuty system and broader defence‑industry capacity.
• Shmyhal briefed G7 ambassadors on winter priorities—more air‑defense systems and ammunition, FPV and interceptor drones—and outlined reforms and the DOT‑Chain marketplace to accelerate deliveries, as Lithuania set January for the first LEGIO instructor training of Ukrainian brigades.