A deal with France promises $3.23 billion in military aid to Ukraine, and a deal with Germany secures a $1.22 billion aid package.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy signed a new long-term security agreement with France, hours after securing a similar deal and aid from Germany.
France and Ukraine have signed a bilateral security agreement aimed at supporting Kiev's war against Russia, the Elysée newspaper announced on Friday.
The deal, signed by Zelensky and French President Emmanuel Macron, includes the Paris government giving more weapons, training soldiers in Ukraine and sending up to 3 billion euros (about 3 billion yen) in military aid. Contains a pledge.
Mr. Macron and Mr. Zelensky said the agreement would last for 10 years and would not only strengthen cooperation in the field of artillery, but also help pave the way for Ukraine's future integration into the European Union and NATO. Stated.
“Our cooperation has resulted in saving lives in Ukraine and all of Europe,” Zelensky said on his social media platforms shortly before meeting with Macron.
Париж. Запланована зустріч із Президентом Макроном і важлива угода. ультати в захисті життя України та всієї налої Європи.
🇺🇦🇫🇷
— Volodymyr Zelensky / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) February 16, 2024
Earlier on Friday, the German Defense Ministry announced that an agreement had been signed between Zelenskiy and Chancellor Olaf Scholz.
The German security pact lasts for 10 years and promises Germany to support Ukraine with military aid, hit Russia with sanctions and export controls, and keep Russian assets frozen.
Berlin has also prepared another immediate aid package worth 1.13 billion euros ($1.22 billion) focused on air defense and artillery.
“The importance of this document cannot be overestimated. It made it clear that Germany will continue to support independent Ukraine in its defense against Russian aggression,” Scholz said.
“And in the event of another Russian invasion in the future, we have agreed on detailed diplomatic, economic and military support,” he added.
Avdiivka
President Zelensky's visits to France and Germany were part of a mini-European tour in which he sought to secure much-needed aid to Ukraine as Russia's civil war in the country intensifies and approaches its third year.
On Friday, Ukrainian troops were trying to stop Russian forces from closing in on the eastern town of Avdiivka.
The Ukrainian military said it was retreating from positions on the southern outskirts of the frontline city, but troops were taking up “new positions.”
Avdiivka, which Russia has been aiming to capture since October, has become a key target for Russia ahead of the second anniversary of the start of the war in Ukraine.
To meet battlefield challenges, Ukraine faces a shortage of ammunition reserves due to delays in Western military aid.
“We are doing everything we can to ensure that our fighters have sufficient administrative and technical capacity to save as many Ukrainian lives as possible,” President Zelensky said upon his arrival in Germany.
In January, British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak also signed a security agreement with Ukraine.
Meanwhile, across the pond in Washington, DC, US President Joe Biden has repeatedly stressed the importance of sending more aid to Ukraine.
The US Senate passed a $61 billion Ukraine aid bill on Tuesday. But the bill still faces an uncertain fate, with several right-wing Republicans in the House already saying they will block it because the money should be spent on domestic issues.
On Friday, Biden stressed that reports of the death of Russian anti-corruption activist Alexei Navalny have given new urgency to the need for Congress to approve funding for Ukraine to stem Moscow's aggression. .
“We will never forget our failure to support Ukraine at this critical moment,” Biden said. “And the clock is ticking. This has to happen. We have to help now.”
