Ukraine urgently needs support in the fight against Russia. President Zelensky secured this in Berlin and Paris and signed security agreements. This is about long-term military and economic aid.
After Germany, France also concluded a security agreement with Ukraine. This is intended to support the country’s defense against Russia. “France will support Ukraine in the long term,” said President Emmanuel Macron after signing the agreement with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at the Élysée Palace in Paris.
The agreement guarantees Ukraine long-term military and economic aid as well as support for reconstruction after an end to the Russian war of aggression. As part of the agreements, Ukraine is promising further reform efforts with a view to its desire to join the European Union.
France is making billions available
“France is helping us a lot today,” Zelensky said of the deal, highlighting the delivery of missiles, guns and air defense technology. The security pact is “ambitious and concrete”.
This year, France wants to provide Ukraine with military aid worth up to three billion euros, after 1.7 billion euros in 2022 and 2.1 billion euros last year. Macron quantified the value of France’s military support for the first time.
Scholz assures Ukraine of long-term help
Zelensky had previously concluded a similar agreement with Germany in Berlin. Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) described the agreement as a “historic step”. The document contains long-term bilateral security commitments and stipulates that Germany will continue to support Ukraine in its defense against the Russian war of aggression – and for as long as this is necessary, said Scholz. Germany will also support Ukraine in building “modern, robust armed forces to deter any future attack,” the Chancellor added.
Almost two years after the start of the Russian war of aggression, the security agreement with Kiev is also “a crystal clear message” to Russian President Vladimir Putin: “We will not let up in our support for Ukraine. We will continue to stand firmly on the side of the Ukrainians .”
Zelenskyj at the Security conference
The security agreements go back to a decision by NATO heads of state and government at their summit in Vilnius, Lithuania last July. It was agreed there that the individual member states would conclude bilateral agreements to ensure Ukraine’s long-term security. Great Britain started in January. The other NATO states should now gradually follow suit with their commitments.
Zelensky is expected at the security conference in Munich on Saturday. Further bilateral meetings are planned there, for example with US Vice President Kamala Harris. The Ukrainian president opened the most important meeting of politicians and experts on security policy last year with a video address. Now he is taking part in person for the first time since the Russian invasion almost exactly two years ago. Ukraine urgently needs new support in the war against Russia.