France-Ukraine Negotiations: Fifth G7 Country Discusses Security Guarantees for Kyiv

On Thursday, October 19th, the Ukrainian delegation initiated negotiations with France regarding a bilateral agreement concerning security guarantees outlined in the "Group of Seven" (G7) declaration in support of Ukraine. This information has been reported on the official website of the Office of the President of Ukraine.

In the initial stage, the parties agreed on a plan for further negotiations and coordination procedures concerning security guarantee issues in the near future. The President's Office in Ukraine emphasizes that these negotiations will deepen France's support for Ukraine in the military, security, and economic sectors.

The Ukrainian negotiating team is led by Deputy Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine, Igor Zhovkva. It also includes another Deputy Head of the President's Office, Roman Mashovets, and the First Deputy Minister of Defense, Alexander Pavlyuk.

"We continually feel France's support both in Ukraine's path to victory and in our country's European and Euro-Atlantic integration," noted Igor Zhovkva.

France has become the fifth country within the "Group of Seven," following the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, and Japan, with which Ukraine has commenced corresponding bilateral security guarantee negotiations. Additionally, during October, Kyiv reached agreements with Sweden and Norway to begin bilateral security negotiations.

At present, nearly 30 countries have aligned themselves with the G7 declaration regarding long-term security assurances for Ukraine, as adopted during the NATO summit in Vilnius. Albania is one of the most recent countries to do so. During the 78th session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, after a meeting between President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky and Prime Minister of Albania Edi Rama, Albania emphasized its unwavering support for Kyiv's NATO membership aspirations and commitment to providing comprehensive assistance for Ukraine's territorial integrity restoration efforts.

Recall that Matthew Miller, the spokesperson for the U.S. Department of State, declared in August that long-term security agreements to assist Ukraine would not depend on the composition of the U.S. administration. Such aid would be enshrined in relevant intergovernmental agreements, which would remain in effect regardless of the individual holding the office of the U.S. President.