Russian invasion - War against Ukraine: this is the situation
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is expected to hold political talks in Brussels on this Thursday. Several EU officials told the German Press Agency that an agreement on security cooperation between Ukraine and the EU is supposed to be signed during this visit. The text for this agreement was approved by the EU council of permanent representatives on Monday evening and formally adopted afterwards.
It is possible that Zelenskyy will also participate as a guest at the summit of the heads of state and government of the 27 EU countries. No confirmation has been given for this yet. Ukraine is an EU membership candidate and hopes for rapid accession.
Ukrainian media also report that Zelenskyy is expected in Brussels. The security agreements go back to an initiative of the G7 group of western economic powers. They had agreed at the NATO summit in Vilnius, Lithuania, the previous year that individual countries should conclude bilateral agreements with Ukraine to ensure its long-term security. The EU joined in.
Several security agreements - also with the USA
Britain, Germany, and France made the beginning in January and February. At the G7 summit in the middle of June, an agreement was reached with the most important partner, which is intended to help Ukraine on its way into NATO. The USA and Ukraine signed a security agreement with a duration of ten years. The Americans promise Kiev, among other things, further military support, cooperation regarding the arms industry, and the exchange of intelligence services information. US President Joe Biden and Zelenskyy signed the agreement at the G7 summit in Southern Italy.
With the bilateral agreements, Ukraine is promised weapons deliveries, financial aid, and political cooperation. They are intended to help bridge the time until the desired NATO membership of the country. Germany, for example, has promised to continue and expand its military support to Ukraine - among other things, through further weapons deliveries and the training of Ukrainian soldiers and soldiers.
Recently, Zelenskyy was in Brussels at the end of May to sign a security agreement between his country and Belgium. With this agreement, Ukraine is promised the delivery of 30 F-16 fighter jets. The delivery is supposed to begin still in this year. It should be completed by 2028.
The agreement with the USA guarantees Ukraine further help against Russian aggression and potential future attacks, but it does not give any security guarantees. According to its own statements, the US government aims to help Ukraine continue to defend itself. The agreement does not make any promises regarding the delivery of specific weapons systems. The text of the planned agreement with the EU was not yet known.
The agreement between the two countries regulates in broad strokes cooperation between the two countries on all possible levels, including military equipment, training, and maneuvers. At the same time, Ukraine is called upon to carry out various reforms: for example, in the areas of justice, law enforcement, and the fight against corruption, but also in the military capabilities and structures, to eventually meet NATO standards.
The United States confirm that the future of Ukraine lies in NATO, according to the document released by the US government. It is clear that for Ukraine, from the US perspective, there is still a long way to go before it joins the military alliance. The US government viewed the agreement with Kiev as a message to Moscow: acknowledging their commitment to continuing and long-term support for Ukraine.
Russia invaded Ukraine on February 24, 2022, and has since launched a large-scale offensive war against its neighbor. No country has given Ukraine authentic security guarantees so far. The power apparatus in Moscow dismissed the accords as gestures of solidarity with Ukraine, without concrete implications for the country's security. Russia opposes a NATO membership for Ukraine, as it perceives a threat to its own security. Vladimir Putin, the Kremlin chief, named the demilitarization of the country as a war objective. Russia has taken control of large parts in the east and south of the country.
Ukraine is making intense efforts to join NATO. The possibility of the country being admitted to the military alliance soon is, however, unlikely due to the ongoing war. Ukraine is seeking security guarantees. In the alliance, the military aid obligation applies to all NATO members in the event of an attack.
- The anticipated security cooperation agreement between Ukraine and the EU is expected to be signed during Volodymyr Zelenskyy's visit to Brussels, a politically significant occasion.
- This visit comes in the wake of approval from the EU council of permanent representatives for the agreement on Monday evening.
- Ukraine's intended NATO membership and rapid accession are fueling the hope for this security cooperation agreement.
- The initiative for these security agreements traces back to the G7 group of western economic powers, agreed upon at the NATO summit in Vilnius the previous year.
- The G8 summit played a pivotal role in these agreements, as individual countries pledged to sign bilateral agreements with Ukraine to ensure its long-term security.
- Notably, Britain, Germany, and France were among the first to initiate these bilateral agreements in January and February.
- At the G7 summit in June, an agreement was reached with the USA, a significant partner, to help Ukraine towards NATO membership.
- The USA and Ukraine signed a ten-year security agreement, promising further military support, arms industry cooperation, and intelligence services information exchange to Kiev.
- The EU has also joined in these security agreements, promising weapons deliveries, financial aid, and political cooperation to help Ukraine bridge the time until its desired NATO membership.
- In May, Zelenskyy visited Brussels to sign a security agreement with Belgium, promising the delivery of 30 F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine, with the delivery slated to begin this year.
- Despite Russia's opposition to a NATO membership for Ukraine, citing it as a threat to its security, Ukraine continues to make intense efforts to join the NATO alliance for the security guarantees it offers.
