The European Union (EU) is planning to sign a security agreement with President Volodymyr Zelensky, with the aim of continuing to provide weapons, military training and other aid to Ukraine in the coming years.
The European Union-Ukraine agreement
The agreement sets out EU commitments in nine areas of security and defence policy, including arms deliveries, military training, defence industry cooperation and demining, according to a draft obtained by Reuters.
If the security pact with the European Union is finalized, it will be complemented by similar agreements established between Ukraine and its allies as it continues its defense against the Russian invasion. Countries such as the United States, Great Britain, France and Germany have already signed similar security agreements with kyiv.
The document further states that, in the event of “future aggression”, the EU and Ukraine will consult within 24 hours on kyiv’s needs and “rapidly determine” the next steps in accordance with the commitments made. This agreement is part of a broader effort by Ukraine’s allies to ensure their long-term support, given that the war does not appear to have an end in the near future and there are still no immediate prospects of it joining the EU or NATO.
The long-term European commitment
It should be noted that these agreements do not amount to a mutual defense pact like that of NATO nations, but rather are promises to provide Ukraine with weapons and other aid to strengthen its security and deter future invasions. The draft EU document indicates that its commitments will be in force “as Ukraine continues its European path” and will be reviewed in a maximum of 10 years.
On the other hand, although the value or amount of future aid is not specified, it is mentioned that the EU agreed to provide 5 billion euros ($5.34 billion) to a military aid fund to Ukraine this year, but it is not stated. promises the same amount for subsequent years.
You may be interested: They claim that North Korea will send a unit of army engineers to an area of Ukraine controlled by Russia
