BRUSSELS: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Thursday signed a landmark 10-year security pact with the European Union in Brussels, securing long-term support for Kyiv in its ongoing conflict with Russia.
The agreement was signed during a summit of EU leaders, days after the European Union announced it would begin formal membership negotiations with Ukraine. Zelensky expressed his gratitude to the EU and its leaders for the historic agreement, which he said Ukraine had long awaited.
“Thanks to you and to all the leaders of the EU for such a historical outcome. We waited for this a long period of time,” Zelensky told reporters. However, he emphasized the urgency of further support, particularly in air defense. “We need them urgently on the battlefield.”
The security pact mirrors similar agreements that Kyiv has already established with several other countries, including EU powerhouses Germany and France. Zelensky highlighted that the agreement commits all 27 EU member states to provide extensive support to Ukraine, regardless of internal changes within the EU institutions.
“For the first time, this agreement will enshrine the commitment of all 27 Member States to provide Ukraine with extensive support, regardless of any internal institutional changes,” he said in a post on X. “Each step we take brings us closer to our historic goal of peace and prosperity in our common European home.”
European Council President Charles Michel lauded the agreements, emphasizing the EU’s steadfast support for Ukraine. “It’s very important so that we can give the message that we intend to support Ukraine for as long as it takes,” Michel said, standing beside Zelensky.
Ukraine has already signed 17 similar bilateral security agreements with countries including the United States, the United Kingdom, and Japan. While these are not mutual defense pacts, they outline plans for sustained military, financial, humanitarian, and political aid to Ukraine over several years.
The newly signed EU agreement indicates that the EU will continue financing weapon deliveries, training Ukrainian troops, and enhancing the country’s defense industry. However, it stops short of making concrete commitments for new aid, following resistance from some EU member states to pledge specific future support.
The accord suggests that further annual tranches of support, comparable to the five-billion-euro package provided this year, “could be envisaged” until 2027. It also includes a provision for the EU to consult with Ukraine within 24 hours in the event of any future aggression by Russia.
Ukraine views these agreements as a pathway towards full membership in both the EU and NATO. The initiative to sign these pacts was announced at last year’s NATO summit as a means to offer assurances to Kyiv after it was denied a clear timeline for joining the alliance.
In Brussels, together with the President of the European Council Charles Michel and the President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen, we signed the Joint Security Commitments between Ukraine and the EU.
The document enshrines the multilateral long-term commitments… pic.twitter.com/9koF7QDEFr
— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) June 27, 2024
Today, I addressed the European Council and thanked our partners. Despite these challenging years, we have maintained unity and strengthened Europe. The world has witnessed Europe’s effectiveness and our ability to make the right decisions at the right time. pic.twitter.com/yXgwp0k7HD
— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) June 27, 2024
