The agreement with France promises $3.23 billion in military aid to Ukraine, while the pact with Germany guarantees a support package of $1.22 billion.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy signed a new long-term security pact with France, hours after securing a similar deal and help from Germany.
France and Ukraine have signed a bilateral security agreement that seeks to help kyiv in its war against Russia, the Elysee said on Friday.
Signed by Zelenskyy and French President Emmanuel Macron, the pact includes promises from Paris to deliver more weapons, train soldiers in Ukraine and send up to three billion euros ($3.23 billion) in military aid.
The pact will last for 10 years and will not only strengthen cooperation in the artillery area but also help pave the way for Ukraine's future integration into the European Union and NATO, Macron and Zelenskyy said.
“Our cooperation produces results in protecting life in Ukraine and throughout our Europe,” Zelenskyy said on his social media platforms, shortly before meeting Macron.
Paris. Запланована зустріч and Президентом Макроном і важлива угода. Наша співпраця дає результати в захисті життя України та всієї нашої Єв ропи.
🇺🇦🇫🇷
— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) February 16, 2024
Earlier Friday, the German Defense Ministry announced that an agreement had been signed between Zelenskyy and Chancellor Olaf Scholz.
The German security pact, which will last 10 years, commits Germany to supporting Ukraine with military assistance and applying sanctions and export controls on Russia, and ensuring that Russian assets remain frozen.
Berlin also prepared another immediate support package worth 1.13 billion euros ($1.22 billion) focusing on air defense and artillery.
“The importance of the document cannot be underestimated. “It makes it clear that Germany will continue to support an independent Ukraine in its defense against the Russian invasion,” Scholz said.
“And if there is another Russian aggression in the future, we have agreed on detailed diplomatic, economic and military support,” he added.
Avdiivka
Zelenskyy's visit to France and Germany is part of his mini-European tour in which he was trying to get much-needed aid to Ukraine as Russia's war in the country continues, approaching its third year.
On Friday, Ukrainian troops were trying to hold off Russian forces approaching the eastern town of Avdiivka.
The Ukrainian military said it was withdrawing from a position on the southern outskirts of the frontline city, but that its forces were taking up “new positions.”
Avdiivka, which Russia has been trying to capture since October, is a prime target for Moscow ahead of the second anniversary of the start of the Ukraine war.
To meet battlefield challenges, Ukraine has been facing a shortage of ammunition stockpiles amid delays in Western military assistance.
“We are doing everything possible to ensure that our warriors have sufficient technological and management capabilities to save as many Ukrainian lives as possible,” Zelenskyy said upon arriving in Germany.
In January, UK 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.
On Tuesday, the US Senate passed a $61 billion aid bill for Ukraine. But the bill still faces an uncertain fate, as several right-wing US Republicans in the House have already said they will block it because the money should be spent on domestic issues.
On Friday, Biden noted that the reported death of Russian anti-corruption activist Alexey Navalny brings new urgency to the need for Congress to approve funding for Ukraine to prevent Moscow's invasion.
“The lack of support for Ukraine at this critical time will never be forgotten,” Biden said. “And the clock is ticking. This has to happen. We have to help now.”
