Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda believes that the West is obliged to help Ukraine build an air defence system to protect itself from shelling by the Russian Federation.
He stated this in an interview with The Washington Post, Ukrinform reports.
"We must help Ukrainians build an air defence system; otherwise, Russia's advantage in the airspace will lead to huge losses on earth," Nauseda said.
When asked about the risks of NATO's war with Russia, the Lithuanian president said: "It's hard to say because I think all our actions will affect Russia's behaviour. The more determined we are, the more likely we will achieve peace. Russians look at our behaviour. Perhaps this is the best way to achieve peace if we are determined. "
The President of Lithuania also noted that the imperial appetite of Russian President Vladimir Putin is "excessive" and the ambitions are "boundless".
"Russia will pay a huge price for this intervention. It is already paying after the new decisions on sanctions and isolation of Russia," Nauseda said.
On 24 February, Putin announced the beginning of the invasion of Ukraine. Russian troops are shelling and destroying infrastructure, carrying out massive shelling of residential areas of Ukrainian cities and towns. The occupiers use artillery, multiple rocket launchers and ballistic missiles.
On 26 February, the Ukrainian air defence forces shot down an IL-76 with a Russian landing party. The air defence later destroyed two Russian fighter aircraft.