Lithuania's chief diplomat becomes first foreign minister to visit Kherson since its liberation
Lithuanian Foreign Minister Kęstutis Budrys, together with his Ukrainian counterpart Andrii Sybiha, has visited the city of Kherson and the oblast.
Sybiha stated on X that Budrys is the first foreign minister to visit the city since its liberation in autumn 2022.
"This is a powerful sign of solidarity with our people amid constant Russian terror against Kherson," Sybiha wrote.
The foreign ministers visited a critical infrastructure facility, an underground school and a maternity hospital. They also paid tribute to the defenders of Kherson.
They spoke with Kherson residents, met with local authorities, discussed urgent needs and focused on specific initiatives to expand international assistance to the city.
Together with my Lithuanian colleague and Ukraine’s brave friend @BudrysKestutis we visited Kherson and the region.
– Andrii Sybiha 🇺🇦 (@andrii_sybiha) June 10, 2025
Kestutis became the first foreign minister to visit the city since its de-occupation in autumn 2022. This is a powerful sign of solidarity with our people amid… pic.twitter.com/ahvK1iKowv
"Devastation, destroyed cities, schools, hospitals and broken lives," Budrys stated. "‘Human Safari’, heavy shelling and drones’ attacks – hundreds killed and thousands injured. This is the reality of what people of Kherson live with today."
Devastation, destroyed cities, schools, hospitals and broken lives. #HumanSafary, heavy shelling and drones’ attacks – hundreds killed and thousands injured. This is reality what people of #Kherson live with today.
– Kęstutis Budrys (@BudrysKestutis) June 10, 2025
With my colleague and friend 🇺🇦 FM @andrii_sybiha we visited… pic.twitter.com/HCzEt8twh8
Budrys added that he and Sybiha had also visited Mykolaiv Oblast.
"Everywhere we went – we saw just inhuman cruelty and crimes of Russian aggression. And this is happening in the 21st century. All those responsible for the crimes against humanity must be held accountable and face justice. Impunity leads nowhere else than to more aggression and cruelty," Budrys said.
On 9 June, Budrys arrived in Kyiv on an official visit.
Budrys shared that he had travelled to the Ukrainian capital through a "shower of missiles and drones" launched by Russia.