The Lithuanian Seimas has awarded Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy this year's Freedom Prize.

The Seimas has invited Zelenskyy to Vilnius to award him the Freedom Prize. Although it is unlike that Ukraine's President will be visit Lithuania.

The Freedom Prize was established by the Lithuanian parliament in 2011 to honour "individuals and organisations for their achievements in and contribution to the defence of human rights, development of democracy, and promotion of international cooperation for the cause of self-determination and sovereignty of the nations in Eastern and Central Europe". It is presented every year on January 13 when Lithuania marks the Day of the Defenders of Freedom.

In early December, it became known that this year Prize would go to the President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

"We have already sent an official invitation. We will see what the decision will be. However, obviously, it is not very realistic to expect his arrival," said Speaker of the Lithuanian Seimas Viktorija Cmilyte-Nielsen.

According to her, the programme this time has been prepared based on "the special laureate."

Volodymyr Zelenskyy has left Ukraine only once since Russia's full-scale invasion. He paid a visit to the US last week.

On his way back, Zelenskyy also met with the President of Poland Andrzej Duda.