“Tonight we witnessed the brutal aggression of military Russia and its possible supporter Belarus against brotherly Ukraine. We have already been used to refer to the term of war as the concept of the past. Unfortunately, we are facing war and it is very close to us. Ukraine is a defender of the freedom of each of Lithuania, Europe, Western civilization and us. It should not fall. We must help it. Seeing you here today, I am sure Ukraine will not be left alone. The peoples of different nations, including their states, support its freedom. Let us be strong, let us be united, let us be together with Ukraine and its people, with the community of our partner city Vinnytsia. Слава Україні!” said Rytis Račkauskas, the Mayor of Panevėžys.

The people who gathered for the Ukrainian support campaign held by the City Municipality heard the Ukrainian anthem performed by the Ukrainian actress Darija Lysohor from the city Puppet Wagon Theatre. Viktorija Vingirevičiūtė, a member of the board of Panevėžys Union of Youth Organizations "Round Table", gave a speech at the event. Actors of the Puppet Wagon Theatre from Ukraine Marija Patokova and Alexander Zeleznov shared their thoughts on the situation in their home country and expressed gratitude for the support of Panevėžys residents. "Thank you for supporting Ukraine in this way. This is very important to us. It is very hard now; no one thought it would be that way. I think it is important for the world to know the truth now. The truth is that today there is a war going on in Ukraine, although it is very painful,” said Ms. Patokova.

Today, during the telephone call of R. Račkauskas and the Mayor of Vinnytsia (Ukraine) Sergiy Morgunov, the possible support measures have been discussed. The mayor of Panevėžys expressed concern and intention to provide various assistance to the residents of the partner city. During the conversation, it was agreed to discuss concrete steps for assistance and cooperation in the coming days.