Ukraine signs three security agreements at once: with EU and two countries
During the summit of EU leaders, Ukraine signed a security agreement with the European Union, as well as Estonia and Lithuania, according to the broadcast on the website of the European Commission.
The preliminary text of the agreement with the EU contained two main sections on security guarantees, each of which has nine points, writes public broadcaster Suspilne. The first chapter deals with long-term defense assistance, and the second one with "the future of Ukraine and its citizens in the European Union", demining and reconstruction, strengthening of anti-Russian sanctions, etc.
In addition, the document provides for support for Ukraine under the Ukraine Facility program in the amount of 50 billion euros and for urgent consultations within 24 hours in case of possible aggression against Ukraine in the future.
Ukraine also signed a security agreement with Lithuania and Estonia. Earlier, the President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced the signing of these agreements, noting that the agreement with the EU "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."
Back in May, Reuters disclosed the content of the security agreement between Ukraine and the EU. In the event of a new aggression, within the first 24 hours, the European Union will be obliged to hold consultations on Ukraine's needs and "quickly determine the next steps."
In addition, the agreement provides for nine forms of support for Ukraine, including the supply of weapons, training of soldiers, cooperation in the defense industry, assistance in demining, etc. The document also emphasizes that these obligations will be valid until "as long as Ukraine continues its European path" . In 10 years, this agreement can be reviewed again.
What are security agreements?
In 2023, on the sidelines of the July NATO summit in Vilnius, the leaders of the "Group of Seven" (G7) agreed on a Joint Declaration of Support for Ukraine. The countries noted that each of them will work with Ukraine on specific bilateral long-term obligations and agreements in the field of security. Ukraine, in its turn, undertook reforms.
More than 20 countries joined this initiative. Britain became the first country to enter into a final agreement. Since then, almost two dozen countries have signed bilateral agreements with Ukraine.