European Union Signs Bilateral Security Agreement with Ukraine

On Thursday, 27 June, the European Union and Ukraine signed a security agreement on the sidelines of the EU Leaders' Summit. 

On behalf of the EU, the agreement was signed by President of the European Council Charles Michel and President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen. On behalf of Ukraine, the agreement was signed by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who arrived to Brussels. 

For the first time, this agreement establishes a multilateral long-term commitment of all 27 EU member states to provide Ukraine with broad support in all key areas: military, financial, humanitarian and political assistance for ten years.

At the same time, the document sets out long-term commitments to support Ukraine until it joins the EU, as well as the readiness of the European Union and its member states to support Ukraine on its path to membership.

It also reaffirms the readiness of all member states to strengthen EU sanctions against Russia, to combat attempts to circumvent them, and to cooperate in countering hybrid and cyber threats and ensuring free navigation in the Black and Azov Seas.

This includes the opening of the EU Defence Innovation Office in Kyiv and cooperation between our country and the European Union in the defence industry.

The joint security commitments with the EU complement and strengthen existing bilateral security agreements concluded with member states, and also enshrine commitments to support Ukraine for those member states that have not yet joined the Joint Declaration of Support for Ukraine.

According to the President's Office, this is the first time that a document signed by the EU with a third country provides for a consultation mechanism in case of possible future aggression within 24 hours.