G7 Countries to Offer Ukraine a Security Framework

The G7 countries are expected to announce an "international framework for long-term arrangements for Ukraine's security" on the sidelines of the NATO summit in Vilnius on Wednesday (July 12).

This was reported by Euractiv.

The move comes after Ukraine has insisted in recent months on enhanced arms packages, an invitation to join NATO, and guarantees of security measures from Western allies as a priority to combat Russia's war against the country.

The signatories "will secure long-term bilateral security commitments for Ukraine to build a Ukraine that can defend its territorial sovereignty both now and in the future," British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak's office said in a statement, echoing a similar statement from the White House.

The declaration aims to "set out how allies will support Ukraine over the coming years to end the war and deter and respond to any future attacks," Downing Street said in a statement.

According to the framework agreement, the G7 countries - Germany, France, Italy, the United States, Canada, Japan, and the EU - "will provide long-term bilateral security commitments," such as contracts that ensure long-term, sustainable supplies of various types of assistance.

These could include military support, enhanced and accelerated intelligence sharing, more support to combat cyber and hybrid threats, more training programs, especially for the armed forces, military exercises, and work to develop Ukraine's defense industrial base, the two NATO diplomats said.

The framework goes beyond military assistance alone and includes financial and economic assistance, such as through recovery conferences to rebuild Ukraine, as well as political support, such as through sanctions packages.

Other countries may join the pledge, according to sources familiar with the talks.

The intent is to "help Ukraine build an army that can defend itself and deter future attacks," Amanda Sloat, senior director for European affairs at the U.S. National Security Council, told reporters in Vilnius.

"This is the first time these many countries have agreed to a comprehensive long-term security agreement of this kind with another country," Sunak's office said.

The arrangement is reminiscent of the one between the United States and Israel, where both countries sign multi-year contracts to ensure that Tel Aviv has enough equipment to organize its national defense.

Wednesday's security agreement with Ukraine, especially the continued supply of weapons and equipment used on the front lines, is expected to play a crucial role in giving Kyiv an advantage on the battlefield.

With this declaration and future agreements, the signatories want to "guarantee that we help Ukraine as we do, not only now, but in the long term, if necessary for several years, as long as it takes to allow Ukraine to withstand aggression," a source at the Elysee Palace said.

In Vilnius on Wednesday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky met with a number of Western leaders, including those from Canada, Germany, the UK, the Netherlands, Australia and the US, to secure bilateral commitments.

While Canada pledged more armored vehicles, Germany will provide additional Patriot systems, missiles, and tanks as part of a €700 million aid package. The United Kingdom has pledged more than 70 combat and logistical vehicles, a £50 million support package for equipment repair, and a military rehabilitation center for the Ukrainian Armed Forces.

"Despite the talk of NATO membership that we saw yesterday, Ukrainian officials are very pleased with the concept of security guarantees put forward," the G7 representative said.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said in a statement that the EU will be "a key partner in this effort" and the bloc will continue to impose sanctions and help prosecute war crimes.

At their summit last month, EU leaders also pledged for the first time that the bloc would provide Ukraine with a "security commitment."

Member states said they "stand ready to contribute, together with partners, to a future security commitment to Ukraine that will help Ukraine defend itself in the long term, deter acts of aggression and resist attempts at destabilization" and "to consider modalities for such a contribution quickly."