Ukraine and Germany signed an agreement on security cooperation and long-term support
The treaty enshrines German financial and military support for Ukraine for 2024, as well as sets out Germany’s clear position on sanctions against Russia, the tribunal, and frozen assets. The following document also provides a mechanism for emergency consultations in the event of a possible future armed attack by Russia on Ukraine.
The agreement was signed by President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy and German Chancellor Olaf Scholon on February 16, during Zelenskyy’s visit to Germany. The treaty follows the agreements reached between Ukraine and members of the G7 group during the NATO Summit in Vilnius in July 2023.
“President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and I signed an agreement today on our long-term security commitments – a historic step. Germany will continue to support Ukraine in the face of the Russian war of aggression. For as long as it takes. Slava Ukraini,” commented Olaf Scholz on X(Twitter).
The bilateral agreement is valid for ten years from the date of its signature and sets out the specific components of the security commitments that Germany has made to Ukraine. In particular, the document defines the priority areas of security cooperation – military, political, financial, and humanitarian.
The agreement states that in 2024, Germany will provide more than €7 billion in military aid to Ukraine, significantly strengthening the Ukrainian army. In addition, Germany will continue to provide support to Ukraine throughout the validity of the document.
The importance of imposing sanctions to restrict Russia’s access to finance, goods, technologies, and services used in its aggressive war is also underscored in the agreement. According to the document, Germany will work on maintaining sanctions pressure on Russia and fighting against sanctions avoiding as long as Russia’s war against Ukraine continues and until the territorial integrity of the Ukrainian state is restored.
The agreement will also provide for a mechanism for emergency consultations in the event of a possible future armed attack by Russia on Ukraine, which is to be initiated at the request of any of the participants within 24 hours to determine the appropriate next steps.
Furthermore, Germany will continue to work with other Coalition members to establish a tribunal for the crime of aggression against Ukraine and to channel Russian assets’ revenues to support Ukraine. In addition, the German government is further committed to supporting Ukraine’s efforts towards reforms necessary to realize its aspirations for EU and NATO membership.
“With this unprecedented agreement, Germany reaffirms its unwavering support for Ukraine’s independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity within its internationally recognized borders of 1991. Germany intends to provide support to Ukraine for as long as it takes to help our country defend itself and restore its territorial integrity,” stated the Presidential Office of Ukraine.
Earlier, Ukraine and Great Britain signed a similar agreement on security cooperation during the visit of UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak to Ukraine on January 12. In addition, Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal confirmed that Ukraine has been negotiating with other partner states to sign security and military cooperation agreements.
