'Let it be surprise for Russia': Lithuanian MoD hints at new forms of Ukraine aid

"I believe that in the near future, we will see, judging from discussions with other ministers, various initiatives to step up support to Ukraine, and not necessarily in the form of weapons," said Anušauskas.

According to him, the countries agreed that support for Ukraine should be increased and, perhaps, even changed in form.

"We are supporting Ukraine militarily and, of course, financially, and we are providing training support, but I think that there may be other forms as well, but I don’t want to elaborate on that right now," the minister said adding that he'd rather it to be a surprise for Russia.

“Let it be a surprise for Russia how Ukraine can be supported,” he added.

Minister supported increase in aid to Ukraine

Earlier, Estonian intelligence calculated that if European countries allocated 0.25% of their GDP to the military budget of Ukraine, it would enable it to wage war this year and next, and would be a very clear signal to the Kremlin that Europe will not leave Ukraine.

"It would double military aid and basically make up for the US absence," Anušauskas said.

Blocking of Ukraine aid bill in Congress

The US Senate voted on February 8 to block a bill on the allocation of funding to support Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan and the security of the American border. According to the results of the vote in the Senate on the night of February 8, 49 legislators spoke "for" the adoption of the initiative, and 50 were "against". A total of 60 votes were needed to start working on a legislative initiative.

It was reported earlier that Republicans put forward conditions to the Democrats regarding the approval of aid to Ukraine. It is about border security. Just recently, the US House of Representatives presented an amended version of the bill aiming to assist Ukraine and Israel, as well as to ensure border security, which was presented last week.