Ukraine and Lithuania's culture ministers hold talks
Ukraine's Vice Prime Minister for Humanitarian Policy and Culture Minister Tetiana Berezhna, together with Deputy Culture Minister Tetiana Filevska, welcomed Lithuanian Culture Minister Lukas Alsis at a meeting in Kyiv. The visit marked Alsis's first official trip abroad in his current position, and he made Ukraine his destination.
Lithuania announced that it is joining the Ukrainian Cultural Heritage Fund, a major step in bilateral cooperation. During the talks, the officials discussed shared challenges in tackling Russian propaganda and disinformation. Berezhna outlined Ukraine's experience in this field, highlighting the growth of Ukrainian cultural production, assistance to artists, and the implementation of the state initiative "Tysiachovesna."
A broader push for international cooperation and cultural heritage protection
Deputy Minister Filevska provided an update on international cooperation under the Alliance of Cultural Resilience. The two sides also explored further collaboration during Lithuania's upcoming presidency of the Council of the European Union in 2027, with Ukraine expressing interest in joining EU culture ministerial meetings.
"Being in Ukraine today is of enormous importance to me personally and to Lithuania as a European state. Ukraine is defending not only itself but also European values and the free world," Alsis said. "We came to demonstrate solidarity and offer support to Ukraine, particularly in the cultural sphere."
Berezhna stressed the significance of the visit: "Lithuania remains one of Ukraine's closest partners. It is very meaningful that the Lithuanian culture minister chose Ukraine for his first official foreign visit. This is a gesture of solidarity and support. I thank Lithuania for deciding to join the Ukrainian Cultural Heritage Fund. Together we are preserving cultural heritage that forms part of European history and our shared values."
The meeting took place on 6 August 2026 and reinforced the importance of Ukraine–Lithuania collaboration in culture and heritage protection. The visit also highlights how cultural diplomacy is becoming a central element of regional responses to current security challenges. Joint work through the Ukrainian Cultural Heritage Fund and the Alliance of Cultural Resilience shows both countries' commitment to safeguarding cultural treasures. Ukraine's expertise in countering disinformation could be valuable for Lithuania and other European nations, as information security grows more urgent worldwide.