“The withdrawal of the occupation army is Lithuania’s success story. As a result of long and difficult negotiations, a large amount of powerful equipment was removed from Lithuania peacefully, without violence, without resistance, and tens of thousands of soldiers were transferred to another country,” said Defense Minister Arvīds Anušausks.
He emphasized that Lithuania can be proud of its perseverance, achieving the withdrawal of the Russian army a year earlier than Germany, Latvia and Estonia.
In her congratulation, Speaker of the Parliament Viktorija Chmilīte-Nilsen stated that the “last Soviet boot” that left Lithuania 30 years ago marked liberation from occupation and the final consolidation of independence.
“For 30 years, we have built our country the way its free people wanted it. We have become much stronger than when heavy Soviet armored vehicles and occupying columns drove through the streets of our cities and villages out of Lithuania. Now we are in the European Union and NATO. We are making history as a free country. (..). And this year the Freedom Day slogan “Red Army, go home!” we chant for the victory of Ukraine!” the speaker emphasized.
According to the data of the Ministry of Defense, when Lithuania declared its independence on March 11, 1990, approximately five divisions of the Soviet occupation army and approximately 1,000 tanks, 180 aircraft and 1,900 armored vehicles were stationed on its territory.
Soon after the declaration of independence, a negotiation process began that lasted several years.
The last military echelon of the Russian army left Lithuania shortly before midnight on August 31, 1993.
Marking the 30th anniversary of the withdrawal of the occupying army, the Ministry of Defense of Lithuania is holding a concert and rally on Thursday in Lukiški Square in Vilnius.
2023-08-31 16:25:13
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