Ukraine and the European Union have signed a security agreement, Suspilne reports. The signing took place during the EU leaders' summit in Brussels.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy arrived in Brussels today to sign the agreement. He announced the conclusion of three such agreements.
The agreement was signed by the Ukrainian president, European Council President Charles Michel and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, The Guardian reports.
"Today, with Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the EU and Ukraine are signing a security commitment. These commitments will help Ukraine to defend itself, resist destabilisation and deter future acts of aggression," Charles Michel commented.
According to Yevropeyska Pravda. The agreement with the EU is called "Joint Security Commitments between the European Union and Ukraine". It differs from bilateral security agreements between Ukraine and NATO countries.
The agreement does not contain any mention of Ukraine's future membership in the Alliance or support for it, as the EU includes both non-bloc states (Austria, Ireland) and Hungary.
EU member states unanimously agreed to sign the treaty.
"The biggest success of this agreement is that it was agreed and signed despite Hungary's position," a senior EU foreign policy official told EuroPravda.
As for funding, it is stated that Ukraine will receive funds from the European Peace Facility (EPF).
"The newly established Assistance Fund for Ukraine under the EPF adds a further €5 billion for 2024 to provide further military assistance and training, and further comparable annual increases may be envisaged until 2027, based on Ukraine's needs and subject to the political guidance of the Council," the agreement says.
Security guarantees: what Ukraine wants
On the instructions of Volodymyr Zelenskyy, an International Working Group on Security Assurances was established in the spring of 2022, headed by Anders Fogh Rasmussen and Andriy Yermak. In September 2022, the group presented the Kyiv Security Treaty.
In July 2023, at a joint press conference with the NATO Secretary General, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that Ukraine needed security guarantees before it could become a member of the Alliance. These guarantees should not be "instead of NATO", but on the way to it, he stressed. The President said that the state currently has no real legal security guarantees from its partners, so this could be the first legal document. And then Ukraine may receive separate guarantees with individual guarantor countries. These documents will specify the specific things that Ukraine lacks, such as air defence and aviation, and the signatories to the guarantees will work to meet these needs. Not only G7 members but also other countries can join this document, although it is initially aimed at the G7.
In July, the G7 countries signed a declaration on long-term security guarantees and economic support for Ukraine. The signatories will promote reforms necessary for Ukraine's membership in NATO. The next step is to conclude bilateral security agreements between Ukraine and individual guarantor countries.
On 5 December in Kyiv, representatives of the EU and the Ministry of Defence identified nine priorities for long-term security guarantees for Ukraine. Among other things, this includes EU cooperation with the Ukrainian defence industry.
On 12 January, Ukraine signed its first security agreement with the UK. The parties concluded the Agreement on Security Cooperation between Ukraine and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. It will be in force for ten years and can be extended, just like all other agreements with other countries.
The agreement between Ukraine and the United States, signed on 13 June, was called one of the most powerful treaties.