European Union and Ukraine to sign security treaty

According to the draft, the agreement would set out the EU's commitment to help Ukraine in nine areas of security and defence policy, including arms supplies, military training, defence industry cooperation and mine clearance.

Mr Zelenskyy is expected to sign the pact at a summit of EU leaders in Brussels, Belgium. His visit has not been officially announced but diplomats said he is expected to attend.

European Commission President Ursula Von der Leyen speaks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy during the Ukraine Peace Summit in Switzerland, June 16. Photo: Pool

The leaders of the 27 EU countries will begin a two-day summit by signing a security agreement with Mr Zelenskyy. They will reiterate their commitment to support Ukraine for as long as necessary.

The pact is intended to complement similar agreements signed between Ukraine and its allies as the Russia-Ukraine conflict continues.

In the event of another conflict in the future, the document said the EU and Ukraine intend to consult within 24 hours on Kiev's needs and "rapidly identify" next steps in line with the commitments.

The document is part of a broader effort by Ukraine’s allies to provide assurances that they will stand by Kiev over the long term. Countries including the US, UK, France and Germany have signed security treaties with Kiev.

Such agreements are not like a mutual defense pact between NATO countries, but rather commitments to provide Ukraine with weapons and other aid to enhance its security and deter any future attacks, officials said.

The EU draft document says its commitments will remain in force “as Ukraine pursues its European path” and will be reviewed after 10 years at the latest.

The agreement does not specify the value or amount of future assistance. It notes that the EU has agreed to provide €5 billion in military aid to Ukraine this year, but there is no indication of a similar commitment in future years. “An equivalent annual increase can be envisaged until 2027,” the document states.

In addition, the leaders will also ask the EU institutions to clarify the details of a 50 billion euro loan to Ukraine, which will be repaid with profits from Russian central bank assets frozen in the West.

Investment in defence is also part of the EU's "strategic agenda" that leaders hope to agree at the summit, a document that tells EU institutions what European governments want them to focus on during the 2024-2029 term.

In addition to defense, the draft strategic agenda calls for strengthening the EU's competitiveness to better withstand economic pressure from China and the United States, and preparing for the bloc to expand to include Ukraine and Moldova.

Hoai Phuong (according to Reuters)

Source: https://www.congluan.vn/lien-minh-chau-au-va-ukraine-sap-ky-hiep-uoc-an-ninh-post301066.html