V. Zelensky signed security agreements with Germany and France

Both deals are part of Zelensky’s push to help his forces fight back once morest a Russian offensive in Avdiyivka.

The agreement with France, which was signed by V. Zelenskiy and French President Emmanuel Macron in the Elysée Palace, provides that France, having allocated 1.7 billion in 2022 EUR aid, and last year – 2.1 billion. euros, promises to allocate up to 3 billion in 2024. euros of aid, officials said.

According to officials, the agreement will last for 10 years and will primarily strengthen cooperation in the field of artillery.

According to officials, the agreement aims to help Ukraine “restore its territorial integrity with internationally recognized borders” and prevent “any new Russian aggression.”

The agreement will also help pave the way for Ukraine’s future integration into the European Union and NATO, officials noted.

“France confirms that Ukraine’s future membership would be a useful contribution to peace and stability in Europe,” they said, citing the agreement.

At Saturday’s Munich Security Conference, which will bring together leaders such as US Vice President Kamala Harris, the president will once more ask Western leaders for continued help in funding and arming Kyiv’s forces.

Zelensky’s trip comes at a critical time, when Ukraine is under increasing pressure on the eastern front due to ammunition shortages and new Russian attacks.

The long-term future of billions of dollars in Western aid is in doubt as the biggest donor, the United States, faces an election year.

The statement of support is especially important now that political battles in the US Congress are holding back the $60 billion. approval of the aid package for Kyiv worth 55.7 billion euros.

In a joint press conference with E. Macron, V. Zelenskiy said that he hoped that the agreements with Germany and France would give an impetus to the efforts of the United States for his country.

The EU has admitted it will only be able to provide half of the million artillery shells it has promised to send by March.

However, O. Scholz emphasized that the security pact signed earlier on Friday in Berlin shows that Germany will not give up and will support Ukraine. He also announced a new $1.1 billion euro emergency military aid package.

“As much as it takes”

“This document shows that Germany will continue to help Ukraine defend itself once morest Russian attacks. As I have often said: as long as it takes,” said O. Scholz, who also called the signing of the agreement a historic step.

At the NATO summit held in July of last year, the G-7 (Big Seven) countries pledged to provide Ukraine with long-term security support. However, Alliance leaders have not set a timetable for Ukraine joining the bloc.

The first agreement with the United Kingdom was signed in January during Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s visit to Kyiv.

V. Zelensky hopes to dispel the perceived war fatigue that plagues his allies.

Ahead of the conference in Munich, Harris said that President Joe Biden’s administration “will work to secure the critical weapons and resources that Ukraine so desperately needs.”

Kyiv’s refusal would be “a gift to (Russian President) Vladimir Putin,” she said on the eve of bilateral talks with V. Zelensky.

In the past, world leaders focused on the war in Ukraine, but now there is an urgent need to pay attention to Israel’s war with Hamas and the resulting escalating crisis in the Middle East.

Meanwhile, Zelensky’s trip to Europe was overshadowed by Friday’s announcement of the death of opposition figure Alexei Navalny in a Russian prison, which sparked a global reaction.

“It is self-evident that he was killed by Putin,” V. Zelensky said in Berlin. “Like thousands of others who were tortured.”

He said it shows why Putin must “lose everything and then take responsibility for what he did.”

E. Macron stated at a joint press conference that A. Navalny’s death “illustrates the weakness of the Kremlin and the fear of all opponents.”

Referring to U.S. reports that Russia may be developing a space-based nuclear weapons system, Macron said “Russia must provide an immediate explanation” on the matter.

Macron also accused Russia of cyber attacks, which he said were “aggression once morest our country”.

The French president said the Kremlin’s cyber attacks and disinformation campaigns show that “Vladimir Putin’s Russia is systematically destabilizing the world.”

E. Macron also said that he plans to visit Ukraine by mid-March.