On Friday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy planned to visit Germany and France, seeking military assistance and signing security commitments amid the ongoing war with Russia. This visit aims to strengthen alliances and address the ongoing challenges Ukraine faces in the conflict.
Kyiv’s troops are currently attempting to hold off Russian forces advancing on the eastern town of Avdiivka. Facing a manpower and ammunition shortage, Ukraine has experienced a delay in receiving US military aid for months.
Zelenskiy’s first foreign trip comes after he replaced his popular army chief and reshuffled his military command, a risky move at a critical juncture in the war. He claimed that these changes were necessary to address shifting battlefield challenges.
Germany and France, as the second and third Ukrainian allies, have signed bilateral security agreements outlining terms for continued support. These agreements delineate the conditions that will persist until Ukraine achieves its goal of joining the NATO military alliance.
The details of the agreements with French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz remain unknown. However, Kyiv has stated its intention to use the first deal signed with Britain in January as a framework.
London stated that it formalized a range of ongoing and future security assistance to Ukraine. Furthermore, it established a commitment to hold consultations with Kyiv within 24 hours in the event of a future Russian armed attack. Additionally, it pledged to provide immediate and ongoing security assistance.
Ahead of the signing ceremony at the Elysee Palace in Paris on Friday evening, French officials offered scant details about the bilateral agreement with Kyiv.
They affirmed that the agreement comprised not only military elements but also economic and financial components.
“The logic behind it is support for Ukraine over the long term, in order to make Russian aggression fail,” a French official told Reuters.
The agreement will include specific figures, but France declined participation in any “beauty contest.” Instead, they insisted that the quality of material provided to Ukraine be at least as important as the quantity.
Germany, led by Chancellor Scholz, has actively pressed both European and American partners for more stringent commitments on military supplies for Ukraine. During a visit to Washington, the objective was to secure aid to fulfill Kyiv’s needs.
German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius announced plans to spend 3.5 billion euros on ammunition supplies this year. Moreover, the minister emphasized that Germany aims to deliver three to four times more in 2024 than in 2023.
Zelenskiy was also expected to speak at the Munich Security Conference on Saturday. Scheduled bilateral meetings on the sidelines include one with US Vice President Kamala Harris.
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