Lithuania has expressed strong support for a European Union proposal to provide up to €40 billion ($43.5 billion) in military aid to Ukraine in 2024, emphasizing that a similar level of funding will be necessary in the coming years to deter future Russian aggression.

Lithuanian Foreign Minister Kestutis Budrys stated on Sunday that maintaining this level of support over time would enable Ukraine to sustain its military strength. His remarks came ahead of an EU foreign ministers' meeting in Brussels, where the proposal—put forward by the EU’s diplomatic service under the leadership of Kaja Kallas—will be discussed.

The proposal comes amid uncertainty surrounding U.S.-Russia negotiations, the future of American assistance to Ukraine, and Washington’s broader security commitments to Europe. A document seen by Reuters suggests that EU diplomats are considering doubling military aid to Ukraine, reaching up to €40 billion.

While some EU nations have approached the initiative cautiously, Budrys stressed that Ukraine's military preparedness should not be linked to the outcome of peace talks. "Ukraine's armed forces will be the main deterrence forces for Russians not to return," he stated.

Lithuania has remained one of Ukraine’s strongest European allies since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022. The Baltic nation is also among NATO’s top defence spenders relative to GDP, allocating 2.85% in 2024. The country has committed to increasing defence spending to 5–6% of GDP between 2026 and 2030.