No turning back: Lithuania calls for fast-tracked EU membership for Ukraine

"The security of Europe depends on the security of Ukraine. That is why we should speed up Ukraine's accession to the EU. I propose a date of Jan. 1, 2030,” he said, adding that the opening of the first cluster of negotiations could begin within a few weeks.

“Let's make Ukraine's path to the EU inevitable.”

He also added that Kyiv needs real security guarantees. NATO membership is the best, most effective, long-term and cheapest option that should “remain on the table.”

A total of 37 heads of state and government, including European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President Antonio Costa, are attending the summit of partner countries on the third anniversary of Russia's full-scale aggression against Ukraine.