Andrius Kubilius, Member of Seimas of Lithuania and twice Prime Minister of the Republic of Lithuania (1999-2000; 2008-2012) believes that the West's strategy to counter Russian aggression and help Ukraine should include creating a belt of successful countries around Russia which will impact the opinion of ordinary Russians. He told this during the 11th Kyiv Security Forum which took place during 12-13 April 2018 in the Ukrainian capital.
If I would be Putin, my goal would be not to allow Ukraine to become a successful country. What is the Western strategy? [Finding] how to not allow Putin to be successful in his strategy. That is the question. When we see the broader picture, we need to understand what kind of solidarity Ukraine needs. Ukraine's success is part of the broader strategy which the Western community needs to address in order to have a clear understanding what to do with Russian now. The only effective strategy which can be developed, besides developing military deterrence capabilities, is to create a belt of successful countries around Russia which will have an impact on the opinion of ordinary Russian people. That is why Putin is so afraid of such a development. That is why he is doing everything not to allow Ukraine to become a successful country. What kind of assistance, besides military assistance and sanctions, can the EU offer?We need to look into an effective instrument for Ukraine to move forward with reforms, a new big carrot, and would allow Ukrainians to feel that reforms are bringing some kind of tangible results. This is why we came up with the Marshall Plan for Ukraine.
In Lithuania in the 1990s, a sign of clear solidarity was EU membership perspective. That was a powerful incentive to keep us on track. For the time being, this is not available for Ukraine.
We can declare that Marshall plan for Ukraine is going through the initial stages of implementation.
The Ukrainian government managed to use only €1.6 bn, €5 bn are still on the table. Not stolen, but not used. Now we are looking for how to make good progress in absorption of that money.
More from the forum:
- Lithuanian Prime Minister: don’t separate the Kremlin and the Russians; this is a mistake
- The case for Ukraine’s NATO membership – Taras Kuzio
- USA supports Ukraine’s movement towards NATO – ambassador
- Ukraine to adopt new sanctions package against Russia – Poroshenko
- Seven ideas for Ukraine and Europe: to be discussed at the Kyiv Security Forum
- The Marshall Plan for Ukraine: a new opportunity or another disappointment?
- Why Europe should support a “Marshall Plan” for Ukraine