BRUSSELS: The European Union is expected to sign a security pact with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Thursday, committing more arms, military training and other assistance to Kyiv for years to come.
The agreement will lay out the European bloc’s commitment to support Ukraine in nine areas of security and defence policy, including deliveries of weapons, military training, defence industry cooperation and demining.
Zelenskiy is expected to sign the agreement at a summit of EU leaders in Brussels. His visit has not been announced officially but diplomats said he was expected to attend the event.
The agreement is aimed to complement similar agreements signed between Ukraine and its allies as it continues with the war against Russia.
According to the document seen by Reuters the EU and Ukraine intend to consult within 24 hours on Kyiv’s requirements and promptly determine future steps in line with the commitments.
The document is part of a broader effort by Ukraine’s allies to provide assurances that they will stand by the country for the long haul. Countries including the United States, Britain, France and Germany have already signed security pacts with Kyiv.
Officials say such pacts are not the same as the mutual defence agreements between NATO countries, but are commitments to provide Ukraine with weapons and other help to bolster its own security and deter any future invasion.
The draft of the EU document says its commitments will remain in effect as Ukraine follows the European path and will be reviewed after 10 years. It does not mention the value or quantity of future assistance.
