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On January 23, 2025, EU Ambassador to U.S. Jovita Neliupšienė spoke to members of the press at the Delegation’s annual press reception. Here are some key highlights from the speech:

• For the European Union, these values [freedom, democracy, and rule of law] are more than just words, they inspire actions. Actions like becoming the largest donor for Ukraine, where freedom is under threat. Over 174 billion in financial, defense, and humanitarian aid from the EU is helping Ukraine to endure Russia’s war of aggression against their homeland. Actions like training 75,000 Ukrainian troops in the EU since the start of the war. We are the biggest provider of military training for the Ukrainian armed forces. Actions like granting a safe haven to more than 4 million Ukrainian refugees within our borders. Today, one in five Ukrainian children are taking refuge in the EU.
  
   
• Today, the military spending of the EU nations is 30% higher than it was when the war [in Ukraine] started. When the war started, European factories were making around 300,000 artillery rounds [a year]. Now we are almost at 2 million. 
  
   
• We are boosting the efforts of our European nations to buy more [military equipment] together, through joint procurements. And a lot of this defense spending, be it for our own protection, protection of our EU nations as well as spending for Ukraine, is actually bought here. 63% of what we spend on defense is spent in the U.S. I think this is a very powerful testament for the strength of our transatlantic economy and important defense cooperation.
  
   
• Sure, we (the U.S. and EU) compete sometimes, as it happens everywhere and in every family. But on the other hand, we actually support each other, and our economies are complimentary to each other. We have a deeply integrated and balanced trade and investment relationship. More than half of the LNG right now that is imported by EU countries is from the U.S. We are the biggest customers for your LNG.
  
   
• At the same time, the EU is among the top three export destinations for 46 U.S. states. Nationwide, EU investments support millions of jobs in America. In states like Texas, New York, and California, close to a quarter of a million workers are in jobs supported by European trade and investments. Europeans are among the biggest consumers of American brands like Tesla and Apple.
  
   
• European companies also provide advanced components to U.S. automakers like Ford and GM. European-made machines are used in the production of semi-conductors for companies like Intel, and many European components are integrated into America’s F35 fighter jets.
  
   
• This give and take across the Atlantic benefits all of us. That is what gets lost in the debates about tariffs and trade disputes. Between us, we have 800 million citizens. People who depend on their leaders to deliver jobs, prosperity and security. We owe it to them to make the most of our partnership. And we are ready to discuss with the new administration how we can further strengthen already strong relations, be it in defense, be it in trade, be it development, or any other sector you can come up with.
  
   
• Let me quote a person, maybe you will get an extra glass of champagne if you guess when and who said this speech; “The Statue of Liberty - made in Europe, erected in America - helps remind us not only of past ties but present realities. It is to those realities we must look in order to dispel whatever doubts may exist about the course of history and the place of free men and women within it. We live in a complex, dangerous, divided world; yet a world which can provide all of the good things we require - spiritual and material - if we but have the confidence and courage to face history’s challenge. We in the West have much to be thankful for - peace, prosperity, and freedom. If we are to preserve these for our children and for theirs, today’s leaders must demonstrate the same resolve and sense of vision which inspired Churchill, Adenauer, De Gasperi and Schuman. The challenge was to rebuild a democratic Europe under the shadow of Soviet power.” [U.S. President Ronald Reagan] - you can replace that with Russia.
  
   
• And you know, last year, we were happy to witness that some of the journalists who were detained in Russia had been released with the help of not only the United States, but with the help of some European countries as well. Still, too many remain imprisoned around the world, and we have to continue to fight for them, and remember to keep those who are in power accountable.