Chancellor Scholz and Ukrainian President Zelensky signed a bilateral security agreement in Berlin. The agreement includes security commitments and long-term support.
Germany and Ukraine have concluded a bilateral security agreement. Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Selenskyj signed the agreement in the Chancellery in Berlin.
According to a German government spokesman, it is an “agreement on security commitments and long-term support” for Ukraine, which has been defending itself against Russia’s war of aggression for almost two years.
This is “a historic step,” said Scholz on X, formerly Twitter. Germany will “continue to support Ukraine against the Russian war of aggression.”
Means of strengthening artillery and anti-aircraft defense
At the subsequent press conference, Scholz praised the agreement. It shows that Germany will support Ukraine for as long as necessary, he said. “We will not let up in our support for Ukraine.” In addition, the Ukrainian partners will be supported “in building modern, robust armed forces to deter any future attack.”
Specifically, the Chancellor spoke of 1.13 billion euros in additional aid, including around 36 tanks or howitzers, 120,000 rounds of artillery ammunition as well as two additional air defense systems and missiles of the “Iris-T” type. Scholz emphasized that Germany has so far made or promised payments to Ukraine amounting to 28 billion euros. This makes Germany Ukraine’s second largest military supporter.
Zelensky thanked Germany for its support and said Germany’s support was essential for Ukraine.
Agreement also with France
Before signing the joint agreement, Zelensky spoke with Scholz for almost an hour. Afterwards, Zelensky wanted to meet Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier. In the evening he is expected in Paris, where he also wants to reach a security agreement with his French colleague Emmanuel Macron.
On Saturday, Zelenskyj will be a guest at the Munich Security Conference, where he plans to give a speech and hold talks with US Vice President Kamala Harris.
The G7 states promised Ukraine “long-term security commitments” in July 2023 on the sidelines of the NATO summit in Vilnius. In January, Great Britain became the first G7 country to sign a corresponding bilateral agreement with Kiev. Germany is now the second country to sign such an agreement.