As part of a planned visit of Belgian troops stationed in Pabrade, eastern Lithuania on Wednesday, Belgian monarch King Phillipe denounced the “indescribable violence” of the Russian army in Ukraine.
The King, accompanied by Lithuanian President Gitana Nauseda, was received by officials and military personnel at the Pabrade military base, located less than ten kilometres from the Belarusian border.
Belgian NATO troops have previously been stationed in Romania, near the city of Constanța, under the command of French forces. Most of the soldiers returned home in June, being relieved by troops from the Netherlands.
The two Heads of State took part in a briefing conducted by Belgian army major Jean-Marc Baudouin, before attending a military demonstration of offensive manoeuvres. The leaders also inspected and saluted their respective troops.
In a speech to Belgian soldiers, King Philippe expressed his pride in the Belgian troops stationed on NATO’s eastern flank.
“The Allies are showing their solidarity, but also their determination to preserve our freedoms, our democratic values, and our prosperity. We see this solidarity reflected here today, and that is impressive,” the King said, making clear reference to Russia’s war against Ukraine.
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“I am proud to see Western countries uniting against this barbaric act, these acts of violence, against this indescribable wave of violence,” he continued.
The King also promised that Belgium’s solidarity with Ukraine would continue beyond the war, when the country will need to be rebuilt.
“The time when the fighting will stop is approaching. Then, we can build a free and prosperous Ukraine. There is still a long way to go, but the support of the western world will not stop after the last shot,” King Phillipe concluded.
