Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyi and British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak signed a bilateral security agreement on Friday, January 12.
The document, entitled "Agreement on cooperation in the field of security between Ukraine and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland", was signed by the leaders of the two countries after negotiations in the Mariinsky Palace in Kyiv.
This agreement became the first in the field of security agreements to implement the agreements agreed upon during the Vilnius NATO summit between Ukraine, the members of the "Group of Seven" and the states that joined them. The agreement formalizes military and non-military cooperation between Britain and Ukraine in support of Ukraine's security.
This support will be long-term.
Great Britain's security obligations under this document will apply until Ukraine joins NATO, President Volodymyr Zelenskyi announced after the signing.
The agreement stipulates that in the event of a Russian attack in the future, Britain will provide Ukraine with the necessary assistance quickly and urgently, including modern weapons to repel aggression on land, at sea and in the air.
"Today is the day when the history of Europe changed. Ukraine and the United Kingdom concluded a new and unprecedented security agreement. This is not just a declaration. This is a reality that will come thanks to our cooperation, and in particular, security guarantees from the outstanding global power of Great Britain." — Zelensky emphasized.
"If such a level of security guarantees had been achieved after 1991 with Britain and other countries, then there simply would not have been Russian aggression," convinced president.
The term of this agreement with Britain is 10 years. This term may be extended by analogy with other similar security agreements concluded by global leaders.
"I especially appreciate the fact that the United Kingdom supports Ukraine's accession to NATO and recognizes that the security of Ukraine is part of the entire Euro-Atlantic security. That is why the given guarantees will be valid until our accession to NATO," — Zelensky emphasized.
The President added that if Ukraine becomes a member of the Alliance earlier than the ten-year term of the agreement, "the security architecture created by us will actually be incorporated into the security system of the entire Alliance."
As Zelensky clarified, Ukraine has agreed with Britain on security in all spheres: on land, in the air, at sea and in cyberspace, on broad political interaction and in detail on weapons.
"Absolutely clear about our state border. Fundamentally regarding sanctions. It is fair to compensate Russia for the damages caused by its aggression. Reliable in terms of reconstruction after hostilities," — said the President of Ukraine.
According to him, if necessary, Ukraine and Great Britain will be able to make additional sectoral agreements.
Zelensky noted that the joint task of Ukraine and Britain is to first stop Russian aggression and strengthen Ukraine, and then together to ensure that the attack on Ukraine never happens again. The head of state noted that Ukraine and Great Britain have reached the highest and most meaningful level of relations between the states for all time.
"British leadership is ahead of many others and helping exactly as needed. And now together we have created a globally important example of security cooperation." Zelensky added.
He said that the agreement with Britain is the basis for similar work with other partners of Ukraine. Zelenskyi also told what exactly was achieved today.
"We agreed on annual support to Ukraine. In particular, about financial support — 2,5 billion pounds for this year. Assistance will continue in the coming years. And this agreement is for 10 years," — said the President of Ukraine.
According to him, it was possible to agree on comprehensive cooperation for the sake of the achieved potential of the Ukrainian Defense and Security Forces, the Ukrainian defense complex, state institutions and social systems.
"Thanks to this, we will reach such a security level that the very fact of its existence will serve to deter Russia's aggression," — he noted.
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