International conference „Lithuania for Ukraine. Ukraine for Lithuania“ 2026
The third annual conference “Lithuania for Ukraine. Ukraine for Lithuania” is dedicated to the fourth anniversary of the full-scale war in Ukraine.
Conference organisers
Members of the European Parliament:
Paulius Saudargas
Petras Auštrevičius
Rasa Juknevičienė
Dainius Žalimas
Non-governmental organizations:
Memorabilis
EU4Kherson
Partners:
Seimas of the Republic of Lithuania
Lithuanian Riflemen’s Union
Where and when?
Date
20th. of February, 2026
Time
9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Lokacija
Seimas of the Republic of Lithuania, Constitution hall
Gediminas ave. 53, Vilnius, Lithuania
Conference programme
Registration
9:00 - 9:30
Welcome speeches
- Mr Juozas Olekas, Speaker of the Seimas
- Dr. Paulius Saudargas, Member of the European Parliament (pre-recorded video)
- Ms Olha Nikitchenko, Ambassador of Ukraine to Lithuania
- Ms Inga Stanytė-Toločkienė, Ambassador of Lithuania to Ukraine (online)
- Ms Rasa Juknevičienė, Member of the European Parliament (pre-recorded video)
- Mr Petras Auštrevičius,Member of the European Parliament
- Mr Dainius Žalimas, Member of the European Parliament (pre-recorded video)
9:30 - 10:00
Introduction
- Mr Andrius Kubilius, Member of the European Commission (pre-recorded video), “Lessons from Ukraine: The End of the Peaceful Era and the Defence Capabilities Required Today.“
- Ms Olha Maliarchuk, Deputy Head of Kherson Regional Military Administration, “From occupation to reconstruction: Lessons from Kherson on institutional flexibility”
10:00 - 10:30
Civil protection
Moderator: Martynas Skrupskelis, VšĮ Memorabilis
- Dr Jaakko Lehtovirta, Ambassador of Finland to Lithuania, “Political strategic level, why peace preparedness is important and how it is done in Finland in general.“
- Mr Algimantas Pliučas, Chair of the Architects’ Chamber of Lithuania, “From basement to safe spaces: A critical look at shelter installation efforts in Lithuania”
- Mr Anatolii Didur, Head of Dariivka Village Military Administration, “The cost of delay: Why building shelters cannot wait until tomorrow“
10:30 - 12:00
Break
12:00 - 12:45
Preparedness of self-government institutions
Moderator: Milda Goštautaitė, VšĮ Memorabilis
- Ms Vaiva Jankienė, Coordinator of medical missions and internships in Ukraine, “Preparedness That Cannot Be Delayed: Ukraine’s Lessons for the Healthcare System and Local Governance.“
- Mr Rimantas Klipčius, Mayor of Švenčionys District Municipality, “From plans on paper to real capabilities: Progress and gaps in self-government preparedness“.
- Mr Mykola Yatsenko, Head of Tiahynka Village Military Administration, “Dignity under fire: How Tiahynka is shaping the future in everyday life on the front line“
12:45 - 14:15
Break
14:15 - 14:30
Military experience
Moderator: Justė Pranskevičiūtė, VšĮ Memorabilis
- Col. Linas Idzelis, Commander of the Lithuanian Riflemen’s Union, “Development of preparedness: Integrating Ukraine’s experience into the training of Lithuanian riflemen“
- Gen. Martin Herem, Former Commander of the Estonian Defence Forces (online), “A test to the Baltic security: Ukraine’s front-line experience and challenges to our preparedness“.
- Senior Lt Mykola Stavytskyi, Commander of the Unmanned Systems Battalion (34th Separate Coastal Defence Brigade), “Electronic warfare and drones: Practical lessons in survival and effectiveness from the front line“
- Senior Lt Kyryl Yushchyshen, Commander of Military Unit A5074 of the Unmanned Systems Company, “The drone era: How Ukraine’s unmanned systems are rewriting the rules of warfare”