Lithuanian President Nauseda spoke at the UN General Assembly

According to the written statement made by the Lithuanian Presidency, Nauseda addressed the 81st General Assembly of the United Nations (UN) held in New York, USA.

Stating that Iran has continued its attacks on neighboring countries in recent months and prevented freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, Nauseda said that this poses a serious threat to regional and international peace and security.

Nauseda stated that Lithuania will contribute to international naval missions in the Strait of Hormuz with its mine clearing capacity.

Touching on Ukraine in her speech, Nauseda noted that Russia's war against Ukraine is the biggest threat to the world order.

Pointing out that the full-scale war that Russia started in Ukraine in February 2022 lasted longer than the First World War, Nauseda stated that Russia has captured 0.3 percent of Ukrainian territory in the last year, at the cost of killing and wounding more than 400 thousand soldiers.

Nauseda said that, despite this, Ukraine remains standing as an independent state, and the Ukrainian language, culture and national identity continue to live and develop.

Evaluating that "Russia has already practically lost the war," Nauseda argued that the Russian administration did not accept defeat, and that the reason for this was accountability in accordance with international law and the fear of possible revenge from its own people.

"We cannot allow brute force to prevail over international law," said Nauseda, stating that "Russia's colonial goals" weaken global food security and raise food prices, and emphasized that "Russia's imperial goals" have reached the depths of Europe, Africa and Asia, and that no country should consider itself exempt from this threat.

Stating that Lithuania has witnessed many unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) violating its airspace in recent months, Nauseda stated that Russia has intensified its hybrid attack, disinformation and sabotage efforts.

GAZA

In her speech, Nauseda also touched upon the situation in Gaza and expressed their support for international efforts to maintain and strengthen the ceasefire.

Noting that the two-state solution remains the only path to comprehensive, fair and lasting peace, Nauseda stated that it is critical to avoid new steps that are incompatible with a reliable political process.

Nauseda also called on the international community to unite to address the legal, ethical and strategic issues posed by artificial intelligence.

Stating that artificial intelligence should serve human dignity, sustainable development and international security, and should not turn into a new tool of inequality, manipulation or conflict, Nauseda emphasized that human accountability, international law, peace and security should be protected.

Nauseda added that the UN's credibility depends on its capacity to respond decisively to aggression, illegal annexation, forced deportation and crimes against humanity, and to coordinate the global response to the development of artificial intelligence.