Ukraine and the European Union (EU) are expected to sign a security agreement to help the war torn nation in nine critical areas. The agreement will pave a way for the EU to keep delivering weapons, military training, demining, defence industrial cooperation among other critical areas to keep Ukraine in a condition where it is able to effectively defend itself against further threats from Russia for the next few years as per the draft document prepared by EU.
Zelenskiy is expected to sign the pact at a summit of EU leaders in Brussels. His visit has not been officially announced but diplomats said he was expected to attend.
The pact is intended to complement similar agreements sealed between Ukraine and its allies as it continues its defence against Russia’s invasion.
In the event of “future aggression”, the document says the EU and Ukraine intend to consult within 24 hours on Kyiv’s needs and “swiftly determine” next steps in line with the commitments.
The document is part of a broader effort by Ukraine’s partners to provide assurances that they will stand by Kyiv for the long haul, with no end in sight to the war and no immediate prospect of Ukraine joining the EU or NATO.
Countries including the United States, Britain, France and Germany have sealed security pacts with Kyiv.
Officials say such agreements are not the same as the mutual defence pact between NATO nations, but are pledges to provide Ukraine with weapons and other aid to bolster its own security and deter any future invasion.
The draft document states that Europe is committed to Ukraine as the embattled country pursues its European path. The document does not specify the value of the forthcoming assistance to Kyiv. The draft does not mention any new pledges to Ukraine, but does mention USD 5.34 billion that EU agreed to give to Ukraine as military aid. The paper does call for a review after 10 years.
(With inputs from Reuters)
