Ukraine continues to defend European democracy with its blood. Negotiations on EU membership should begin already this year.

 This was stated by the President of Lithuania Gitanas Nauseda during a joint press conference with the President of the European Parliament Roberta Metzola in Strasbourg.

 "Ukrainians protect freedom and democratic European values ​​with their blood. Ukraine belongs to the European Union. Ukrainians have proven this in many ways. And our task is to help Ukrainians carry out all the necessary reforms in order to join the European Union... I welcome your statement, Mrs. President (Roberta Metsola, President of the European Parliament - ed.), regarding negotiations on the accession of Ukraine. We should aim to start these negotiations on membership already this year," Nauseda said.

 The President of Lithuania emphasized the importance of sanctions pressure on Russia and bringing the enemy's leadership to account for the crimes committed.

 He added that today more and more European politicians and experts understand that the Russian Federation poses a long-term threat, and therefore it is important to properly prepare for "reliable deterrence".