The European Union is expected to sign a security agreement with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky tomorrow, pledging to keep delivering weapons, military training and other aid to Ukraine for years to come.
The agreement will lay out the EU’s commitment to help Ukraine in nine areas of security and defence policy – including arms deliveries, military training, defence industry cooperation and demining, according to a draft document.
Mr Zelensky is expected to sign the pact at a summit of EU leaders in Brussels. His visit has not been officially announced but diplomats said he was expected to attend.
The pact is intended to complement similar agreements sealed between Ukraine and its allies as it continues its defence against Russia’s invasion.
In the event of “future aggression”, the document said the EU and Ukraine intend to consult within 24 hours on Ukraine’s needs and “swiftly determine” next steps in line with the commitments.
The document is part of a broader effort by Ukraine’s partners to provide assurances that they will stand by them for the long haul, with no end in sight to the war and no immediate prospect of Ukraine joining the EU or NATO.
Countries including the US, UK, France and Germany have agreed security pacts with Ukraine.
Officials said such agreements are not the same as the mutual defence pact between NATO nations but are pledges to provide Ukraine with weapons and other aid to bolster its own security and deter any future invasion.
The draft EU document said its commitments will remain in effect “as Ukraine pursues its European path” and will be reviewed in ten years at the latest.
It does not specify the value or quantity of future assistance. However, it notes the EU agreed to give €5 billion to a fund for Ukraine military aid this year. But it stops short of pledging the same for the coming years.
“Further comparable annual increases could be envisaged until 2027,” the document said.
