Europe EU and Ukraine sign security agreement

The EU has reached an agreement with Ukraine, which has been attacked by Russia, on security cooperation and long-term support. The document was signed by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyi, EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and EU Council President Charles Michel on Thursday on the fringes of the EU summit in Brussels.

Specifically, the agreement provides for a new crisis mechanism, for example. Should Russia use nuclear weapons during the current invasion, for example, or attack again after the end of the current war, there would be consultations within 24 hours at the request of one of the two sides. Possible support, for example in the form of arms deliveries, would then be discussed jointly. The EU does not promise direct military assistance in the agreement.

Arms cooperation to be expanded

Closer cooperation between the arms industry in Ukraine and the EU and in the fight against cyber attacks and disinformation is also planned.

The EU has unilaterally agreed to continue its efforts to provide further financial aid, arms deliveries and training for Ukrainian soldiers. For example, the international community also wants to participate in a G7 initiative for a short-term 50 billion dollar package (47 billion euros) for Ukraine. This would supplement a financial aid package of 50 billion euros that has already been agreed as well as the financing mechanism for arms deliveries to Ukraine, which is also worth many billions of euros.

As long and as intensive as necessary

In general, the agreement states: "The European Union is determined to continue to provide the necessary political, financial, economic, humanitarian, military and diplomatic support to Ukraine and its people for as long and as intensively as necessary."

The agreement with the security pledges is the result of an initiative by the members of the G7 group of Western economic powers. On the fringes of the NATO summit in Vilnius, Lithuania, last year, they agreed that individual states should conclude bilateral agreements with Ukraine in order to guarantee its security in the long term. The EU is now following suit. Countries such as the UK, Germany and France had already made a start in January and February. Most recently, the USA, among others, followed suit.

Agreement is not binding

As a political declaration of intent, the EU agreement is not legally binding. However, the same also applies to the German agreement with Ukraine, for example.

Selenskyj was last in Brussels at the end of May to sign a security agreement between his country and Belgium. Among other things, this agreement promises Ukraine the delivery of 30 F-16 fighter jets. The handover is set to begin this year. The delivery should be completed in 2028.