From the day Russia invaded Ukraine two and a half years ago, President Volodymyr Zelenskiy has become a familiar guest at European Union summits. On this occasion, he was welcomed warmly as leaders agreed to a security pact that commits long-term financial aid, arms, and military training for Kyiv to confront the invasion. Zelenskiy received the agreement with gratitude, while insisting that Kyiv urgently needs everything possible, because the Kremlin’s latest offensive shows that current efforts may still fall short.
“In May, Vladimir Putin attempted to widen the war by launching a new offensive into the country. We have halted that Russian push, but it proves that the current pressure on Russia through the war is not enough”, Zelenskiy told European leaders after presenting the EU-Ukraine commitment during a pre-summit ceremony. The Ukrainian president pressed allies to provide all possible assistance, especially artillery, and to meet all promises already made.
“Fulfilling all promises is not only about saving lives but also about dispelling Russia’s illusion that they can win through war”, he added during a brief address. He welcomed the start of accession negotiations and called for harsher sanctions against Russian oligarchs. He also signaled plans to push for a second peace conference, noting that time is limited, many troops are wounded or dead, and he seeks a joint plan to present at a second round of talks, though he offered few details.
Bilateral Agreements
The new accord, complementing a bilateral pattern already signed by many nations such as Spain, France, Germany, the United States, and, in the same timeframe, Lithuania and Estonia, adds momentum to accession talks and unlocks 1.4 billion in benefits tied to frozen assets held by Russia’s central bank. The pact commits the EU to nine security and defense policy areas, including arms deliveries, military training, and collaboration to boost Ukraine’s defense industry. It also covers countering hybrid threats, misinformation and interference, mine clearance, energy security, and intelligence and satellite imagery cooperation.
“What we are saying is that the EU stands ready to assume security commitments with Ukraine to help it face and deter any future aggression”, European sources explain regarding a pact that guarantees Kyiv continued military, economic, and diplomatic assistance to resist any attempt at destabilization. The agreement even includes a consultative mechanism in the event of aggression that would be activated within 24 hours at most.
In the event of a future assault, the European Union and Ukraine, upon request by either party, will hold consultations within 24 hours to address Ukraine’s defense needs as part of its right to self-defense under Article 51 of the UN Charter. The pact does not set hard deadlines and remains in effect while Ukraine continues on its path toward EU membership. [Attribution: European Union officials / press briefings]