“When defending its own independence today, Ukraine feels the support of the Lithuanians.”

Ukrainian president Petro Poroshenko congratulated Lithuania on the Day of restoration of its independence.

His Facebook page says: “Let me congratulate our brothers in Lithuania on the Day of Restoration of the Lithuanian Republic! Today, as we defend our own independence, Ukrainians feel the support of the Lithuanian people.”

The Ukrainian and Lithuanian flags are hoisted side by side on this day in accordance with an interstate agreement.

The Council of Lithuania, vested with popular support, declared the restoration of an independent democratic State of Lithuania on February 16, 1918, with Vilnius as its capital. Lithuania was the first Soviet republic to proclaim its independence from the USSR on March 11, 1990.