Ukraine and EU sign security agreement: what it says and how the world reacted
27 June 2024 18:25
On Thurs. 27 June, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy signed a security agreement between Kyiv and the EU at the EU leaders’ summit in Brussels. "Komersant Ukrainian" explains what the document says.
The signed document
- for the first time, it enshrines the long-term commitments of all 27 EU member states to provide Ukraine with military, financial, humanitarian and political assistance for 10 years;
- set out long-term commitments to support Ukraine until it joins the EU, as well as the readiness of the EU and its member states to support Ukraine on its path to membership;
- reaffirmed the readiness of all EU states to strengthen sanctions against Russia, to combat attempts to circumvent them, and to cooperate in countering hybrid and cyber threats and ensuring free navigation in the Black and Azov Seas;
- foresees the opening of the EU Defence Innovation Office in Kyiv and cooperation between Ukraine and the EU in the field of defence industries;
- provided for an appropriate consultation mechanism in case of possible future aggression (within 24 hours);
- provided support of €50 billion for the next 4 years under the Ukraine Facility programme;
- outlined plans to accept Ukraine into the European Union.
At the same time, the document does not mention Ukraine’s commitment to joining NATO, as was the case in other bilateral agreements, as some EU countries oppose it and some are not NATO members.
How the world reacted to the signing of the EU-Ukraine agreement
“The EU is signing security commitments with Ukraine. These commitments will help Ukraine defend itself, resist destabilisation and deter future acts of aggression,” EU Council President Charles Michel wrote on his Twitter page.
During the meeting with the Ukrainian president, the politician also said that “we (the EU – ed.) know and understand what is at stake, we are very impressed with your leadership”.
The President of the European Parliament, Roberta Mecola, expressed her reaction.
“One European family. Thank you to President Volodymyr Zelenskyy for joining us today in Brussels, where we are strengthening our ties with Ukraine. Our destiny is common,” she wrote.
“Dear Volodymyr (Zelenskyy – ed.), the future of Ukraine is the European Union,” Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson wrote on his Twitter page.
What Volodymyr Zelenskyy said during the signing of the security agreement
Speaking at a session with 27 EU heads of state and government, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy said he was grateful that Europe had maintained its unity.
“I am convinced that every European nation that shares common European values should be part of the European family. It is true for Ukraine, it is true for Moldova, it is true for the peoples of the Balkans, Georgia – I am sure that the moment for Georgia will come. And I am confident that there will be decisions regarding Belarus, because it is also a European nation that should be in a united Europe in the future,” Zelenskyy said.
The President also stressed the need to fulfil all promises, pointing to funding and logistics.
In addition, the Ukrainian leader also stressed the need to fulfil all promises, pointing to funding and logistics. Regarding Russia’s frozen assets, the President said he was grateful for Europe’s decision to provide Ukraine with resources. Volodymyr Zelenskyy also called for tougher sanctions against Russia and to prevent the lifting of sanctions against oligarchs.
