Ukraine, UK Sign Historic Agreement on 100-Year Partnership

Ukraine and the United Kingdom have signed a historic agreement on a 100-year partnership to deepen security ties and strengthen partnership for future generations, the Office of the President of Ukraine reports on its website.

The agreement was signed on 16 January by British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy during Starmer's visit to Kyiv.

The introductory part of the document mentions support for Ukraine's European and Euro-Atlantic aspirations and Britain's support for Ukraine's ‘irreversible path to NATO membership’. It also mentions that Ukraine ‘will continue to build its capacity and ability to prevent and combat corruption in the public and private sectors in accordance with its commitments under the Security Cooperation Agreement, in particular through continued support for independent and adequately resourced anti-corruption institutions’.

The main part of the agreement consists of 14 articles - on strengthening defence capabilities, enhancing security and reaching consensus on Ukraine's membership in NATO, building maritime security partnerships, strengthening economic and trade cooperation, cooperation in energy, climate and transition to clean energy; strengthening cooperation in justice and prosecution; countering foreign information manipulation and interference; strengthening positions as leaders in science, technology and innovation; using the potential of the

The article on strengthening defence capabilities states that Ukraine and the UK will deepen cooperation in this area, strengthen their military and defence-industrial capabilities, including the development of the armed forces and cooperation between defence-industrial bases, strengthen Ukraine's defence procurement system and transfer technologies for joint production of defence products, including through joint initiatives).

They declare their intention to ‘develop areas of importance to Euro-Atlantic peace and stability that go beyond war, recognising Ukraine's important role in defending Euro-Atlantic security and paying particular attention to interoperability and Ukraine's contribution as a future NATO ally’.

The article on maritime security declares the intention to work to address long-term systemic threats and challenges to maritime security in order to restore freedom of navigation.

‘The Parties shall establish a partnership in the field of maritime security, in particular with a view to strengthening security in the Baltic, Black and Azov Seas,’ it says.

Below, Article 6 declares the intention to take measures to bring to justice states that commit gross violations of international law.

The article on migration states that the parties will take gradual steps to facilitate travel by citizens and visits to each other's countries ‘under conditions of well-managed and secure mobility’.

The agreement will remain in force for 100 years, starting from the date of its entry into force, unless terminated by either party in accordance with the specified procedure. The document may be amended by mutual agreement of the parties. The parties may enter into additional agreements or arrangements to implement this agreement. 

During the visit, the parties also agreed that the UK will soon provide Ukraine with 150 artillery barrels manufactured by Sheffield Forgemasters and a new mobile air defence system. ‘For the first time in more than 20 years, these guns will be manufactured in the UK. And they will start arriving in Ukraine in a few weeks,’ the British prime minister said.

Starmer also announced the delivery of a new mobile air defence system, which was developed jointly with Denmark.

In addition, Zelenskyy said that Ukraine and Britain had agreed on ‘at least $3.6 billion’ in annual military aid to Ukraine as much and as long as it is needed.

‘Plus, we have prepared a decision on another $3 billion from Russian assets. And for the fiscal year, we should reach $6.6 billion from the UK,’ he said. 

In January 2024, Zelenskyy and former British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak signed a bilateral security agreement that became a prototype for other defence agreements, while declaring their intention to sign one.

The text of the agreement stated that ‘in the event of an armed attack by Russia on Ukraine, at the request of either party, the participants will hold consultations within 24 hours to determine the measures necessary to counter or deter the aggression.’