Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine (NSDC) Oleksandr Turchynov and Chief of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Lithuania Jonas Vytautas Zukas have discussed the situation in the east of Ukraine, which has developed as a result of Russia's aggression, as well as further cooperation between the two countries in a number of areas.

"Lithuania's help is extremely important and valuable to us," the press service of the NSDC quoted Turchynov as saying on Friday.

He also said that Lithuania has always been one of the most reliable friends of Ukraine. "We felt the support of Lithuania during the Revolution of Dignity and from the first days of Russian aggression," he added.

In his turn, Zukas emphasized the importance for Lithuania to cooperate with Ukraine: "We understand where the destiny of Europe is being solved now."

Thanking the NSDC Secretary for cooperation, the Chief of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Lithuania stressed that his country "understands that we must jointly defend our common values."

"We are always ready to support Ukraine because we understand that we have a single geopolitical space and common threats," he said.

When discussing the situation in the east of Ukraine, Turchynov said that "Russian hybrid troops keep up conducting aggression in Donbas."

Moreover, the issues of countering cyber aggression, reforming the Ukrainian security and defense sector, the experience of the transition of the Lithuanian Armed Forces to NATO standards, cooperation in strategic communications and intensifying the activities of the joint Ukrainian-Lithuanian-Polish Brigade were also considered.