Ukraine signed a historic security agreement with Germany 0
(Dan Tri) – Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has signed a bilateral security agreement with Germany and plans to sign another with France.
German Prime Minister Olaf Scholz and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky attended the signing ceremony of a bilateral agreement on long-term security and support in Berlin on February 16 (Photo: Reuters).
President Zelensky met with German Prime Minister Olaf Scholz in Berlin on February 16.
Prime Minister Scholz described the long-term security agreement between Germany and Ukraine as a `historic step`.
The Ukrainian-German security agreement, valid for 10 years, emphasizes `Germany’s intention to provide long-term military support to the Ukrainian security and defense forces`.
Accordingly, Germany and Ukraine `will work together to ensure a sustainable force capable of defending Ukraine now and preventing future attack.`
In the event of future Russian aggression, Germany `will provide Ukraine with prompt and sustained security assistance where appropriate` as well as modern military equipment where necessary, while also seeking agreement
The statement stated that Ukraine `will continue to implement an ambitious reform program`, which is essential for the country’s ambition to join the European Union and NATO.
President Zelensky plans to sign another agreement with President Emmanuel Macron in France next week.
`Ukraine has never had more valuable and stronger agreements,` Mr. Zelensky emphasized.
The security agreements are mainly intended to send a lasting message of solidarity as Ukraine falls back on the defensive in its war with Russia.
`Two years after the start of this terrible war, today we send a clear message to the President of Russia: we will not reduce our support for Ukraine,` Prime Minister Scholz declared.
Mr. Scholz said Germany’s total shipments and military aid commitments to date have reached 28 billion euros.
The new security agreement follows commitments by the Group of Seven most developed economies, including Germany, France and Britain, at the NATO summit in Vilnius, Lithuania last July.
The G7 group at the time pledged to provide weapons and military equipment, including combat air power, as well as increased military training to the Ukrainian army.
European allies recently called on the US Congress to approve an aid package for Ukraine.
`We are also contributing, but America’s contribution should not be underestimated,` Mr. Scholz emphasized.
