The European Union and Ukraine, united by common values such as democracy, respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms, and the rule of law, stand together. Their shared interests in peace, security, stability, and prosperity form the foundation of their alliance. In line with European Council Conclusions of June, October, and December 2023 and the Joint Declaration of Support for Ukraine of 12 July 2023, the European Union and its Member States have committed today to contribute to Ukraine’s security in the long term. This includes collaborating with partners to help Ukraine defend itself, resist destabilisation efforts, and deter acts of aggression in the future.
The European Union leaders signed a security agreement with Ukraine, initiating talks on strengthening EU defences against Russia before agreeing on the bloc’s priorities for the next five years and filling top jobs in its institutions. During the formal meeting of the leaders of the 27 EU countries, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy received a warm welcome as he arrived in Brussels for the signing ceremony.
“A lot to discuss at #EUCO: support for Ukraine, the situation in the Middle East, EU Strategic Agenda. Also security and defence – for the Baltic countries and Poland, one priority is building a defence line along our external border to better protect the EU from threats,” Kaja Kallas, Prime Minister of Estonia and next foreign policy chief, posted on X.
This security deal underscores the EU’s unwavering commitment to Kyiv in resisting Moscow’s invasion for a third year, despite gains by the far-right in European elections, uncertainty created by French snap elections, and the upcoming U.S. presidential vote in November. The agreement outlines the EU’s steadfast commitments to help Ukraine in nine areas of security policy, including arms deliveries, military training, defence industry cooperation, and demining.
Under the EU-Ukraine pact, the bloc will accelerate and intensify the delivery of all necessary military assistance. The EU will also continue to train Ukrainian security and army forces and strengthen cooperation to counter hybrid and cyber threats and foreign information manipulation and interference.
“In Brussels, together with the President of the European Council, Charles Michel and the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, we signed the Joint Security Commitments between Ukraine and the EU. The document enshrines the multilateral long-term commitments of all 27 EU member states to provide military, financial, humanitarian, and political assistance to Ukraine. It also affirms that Ukraine’s future is linked to the European Union. I thank @CharlesMichel, Ursula @vonderleyen, and all EU leaders for their important support for the people of Ukraine,” President Volodymyr Zelenskyy posted on X after the signing ceremony.
The draft conclusions of the summit showed that the leaders reiterated their pledge to support Ukraine for as long as it takes, emphasising that “Russia must not prevail” and that Ukraine must regain the land annexed by Moscow.
“Our ammunition initiative can regularly supply Ukraine with tens of thousands of heavy artillery shells monthly. Eighteen countries have joined the initiative, and the first deliveries, funded by Germany, have already arrived in Ukraine. The Czech Republic itself has contributed CZK 865 million. This money will be used for ammunition from the only Czech manufacturer of such ammunition, STV GROUP. I thank @jana_cernochova, all the people involved in this initiative, and all the countries helping us. This is an investment in the security of our citizens and Europe as a whole,” the Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala wrote on his account on X.
Poland, Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia have jointly called for the European Union to construct a defence line along the border with Russia and Belarus. This initiative aims to safeguard the EU from military threats and other harmful activities from Moscow. The investment in defence is part of the EU’s “strategic agenda,“ which the leaders plan to finalise before dinner on Thursday. This document will outline the focus areas for EU institutions during the 2024-2029 term.
“The EU understood what Poles have known since the beginning of this war: the defence of Ukraine is the defence of Europe,“ emphasised the Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk.
