On January 6, a warm meeting took place at the Vilnius District Municipality with a group of children from Kherson region, who are visiting Lithuania from January 5 to 16 at the invitation of the Mayor of Vilnius District, Robert Duchnevič.

As emphasized by Mayor Robert Duchnevič, this visit holds special meaning: “This trip is more than a short visit. It is the beginning of a friendship born out of unity, solidarity, and a sincere desire to support those who need it most today.” He also noted that Vilnius District is multicultural and open, and that this is the experience they wish to share with Ukrainian children.

The meeting was attended by the Deputy Chief of Embassy of Ukraine to the Republic of Lithuania Viktor Hamotskyi, who thanked the Vilnius District Municipality for the initiative and stressed: “Such visits give Ukrainian children something that is often missing in Ukraine today – a sense of calm. The care shown by Lithuania is an exceptionally important sign of support for the whole of Ukraine.”

During the meeting, the children themselves sincerely shared their emotions about the warm welcome and new experiences. For many of them, this trip became their first journey abroad and a meaningful memory of Lithuanian support and care.

Representatives of the Kherson region also joined the meeting online – Ruslan Rusal, Head of the Chulakivka Village Military Administration; Olena Mikheeva, Director of the Department of Social Development of the Kherson Regional State Administration; and Andrii Yaromenko, Deputy Director of the Department for the Implementation of Humanitarian Policy expressing their gratitude to the Lithuanian side for organizing the visit.

The visit was organized within the framework of cooperation between the Vilnius District Municipality and institutions of the Kherson region. Fifteen children aged 10–15 arrived in Lithuania from one of the Ukrainian regions most affected by Russia’s aggression. During their stay in Vilnius District, they will take part in educational, sports, and creative activities, wellness programs, and educational excursions around the region.

We sincerely thank Vilniaus District Municipality for the initiative, openness, and care for Ukrainian children!