Lithuania Backs India’s Black Sea Initiative, Hails New Delhi’s Role in Ukraine Peace Efforts

Lithuania has welcomed India’s proactive role in diplomatic efforts to end the Russia-Ukraine war, with its Ambassador to India, Diana Mickevičienė, expressing support for New Delhi’s recent initiative focused on the Black Sea.

In an interview with ANI, Mickevičienė said India’s engagement could contribute to peace efforts, pointing to its position as a partner of both Europe and Russia. She said New Delhi’s longstanding ties with Moscow could help persuade Russia to end its military aggression against Ukraine.

“India has come up with an initiative very recently, which we are, of course, very supportive of. We are happy that India has taken an active stance on this,” she said.

INDIA’S DIPLOMATIC ROLE IN THE BLACK SEA

The Lithuanian envoy described the Black Sea as a crucial hub connecting multiple routes and regional interests. She said India’s initiative, if pursued with a reasonable approach, could help advance efforts to end the conflict.

Mickevičienė said Lithuania supported initiatives that could bring peace closer, while stressing that any settlement must address the underlying causes of the war and respect Ukraine’s territorial integrity.

“We look at India as a friendly partner but also friends with Russia to somehow influence them to reason, to basically stop what’s never been theirs,” she said.

LITHUANIA WARNS AGAINST ‘FALSE PEACE’

The ambassador cautioned against an agreement that merely suspends hostilities without resolving the conflict, warning that such an outcome could allow Russia to regroup and resume its aggression.

“What is our biggest worry is a false peace. I would say where hostilities are ended, but nothing is resolved,” she said.

Mickevičienė said Lithuania favoured a just and lasting peace rooted in the principles of the United Nations Charter, particularly respect for the territorial integrity of sovereign countries.

“We are for the just peace, for the peace that respects the UN principles charter, which respects the territorial integrity of a country,” she said.

UKRAINE WAR AND EUROPEAN SECURITY

The envoy said the war had significantly altered Europe’s security environment and threat perceptions, particularly in the Baltic and Eastern European countries.

She stressed that Ukraine’s ability to defend itself was directly linked to the security of the Baltic states, saying its resistance was a guarantee against the aggressor advancing further into the region.

“The fact that Ukraine defends itself and is defending successfully is a guarantee for us that the aggressor will not reach us,” she said.

LITHUANIA LOOKS TO DEEPEN TIES WITH INDIA

Mickevičienė also highlighted India’s growing importance as a partner for Europe, saying Lithuania would seek to strengthen engagement with New Delhi during its presidency of the Council of the European Union from January to June 2027.

She said security and defence, European competitiveness, and cooperation in science and technology would be among the key priorities during the presidency.

The envoy added that India could play an important role in strengthening cooperation between Europe and the Indo-Pacific.

With inputs from ANI