Prime Minister Šimonytė meets Icelandic Prime Minister Katrín Jakobsdóttir

Prime Minister Ingrida Šimonytė welcomed the Prime Minister of Iceland, Katrín Jakobsdóttir, to the Office of the Government on Tuesday. They held discussions on regional security, support for Ukraine, and bilateral cooperation.

“Iceland bravely supported Lithuania’s liberation from occupation and our pursuit of independence when we needed it the most. Iceland's stance at that time serves as an important reminder of the principles and values in international relations that transcend pragmatic calculations,” said Prime Minister Šimonytė.

The parties acknowledged the strong ties between the two countries, further reinforced by the significant Lithuanian diaspora in Iceland. Lithuania expressed gratitude for Iceland’s contributions as a NATO ally to the security of the region.

The Prime Ministers addressed the security situation in the region, particularly in the context of the ongoing Russian war in Ukraine. Prime Minister Šimonytė underscored the importance of democracies remaining committed to Ukraine’s victory as a means to achieve lasting peace. Failure to do so would leave Europe vulnerable to future threats of Russian aggression.

The parties also discussed Russia’s disinformation efforts aimed at dividing democratic societies. These efforts include promoting polarization on sensitive domestic issues, fostering hostility towards Ukraine and Ukrainian refugees, and reinforcing a narrative that the war’s impact on economies is the result of sanctions against Russia, rather than the military invasion launched by Russia itself.