Zelenskyy signs 'historic' security pact with Germany

Zelenskyy and Germany ink "historic" security agreement

BERLIN: On Friday, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the president of Ukraine, inked a security agreement with Germany in Berlin. Chancellor Olaf Scholz praised the agreement as a "historic step" that would solidify Kyiv's backing in its fierce conflict with Russia. output 

Later on Friday, Zelenskyy will also sign a similar agreement with France in an effort to support his troops, who are fighting to repel Russian attacks on the frontline city of Avdiivka.

At the Munich Security Conference, where dignitaries including US Vice President Kamala Harris have convened, the president was scheduled to deliver a fresh appeal for ongoing assistance with finance and munitions as the war in Ukraine approaches its third year.

Zelenskyy's European tour coincides with a precarious situation where Ukraine's eastern front lines are under increasing strain due to new Russian attacks and ammunition shortages.

Around beleaguered Avdiivka, on the eastern front line, fierce fighting raged ahead of the anniversary of the Russian invasion on February 24.

As the largest donor, the United States, is in the midst of an election year, the long-term future of billions of dollars in Western aid is also in doubt.

Washington has been waiting since last year for a potential US$60 billion package of military funding due to political squabbling in Congress.

Concerning the one million artillery rounds it committed to supply by March, the EU has also acknowledged that it will only be able to deliver half of that amount.

However, Scholz emphasized that the security agreement signed on Friday shows Germany would "not let up" in its backing of Ukraine. In addition, he unveiled a fresh $1.25 billion pledge of emergency military assistance.

This document demonstrates Germany's continued commitment to supporting Ukraine in defending itself against Russian aggression. For as long as it takes, as I have repeatedly said," stated Scholz, who also referred to the agreement's signing as "a historic step."

The deal outlines assistance for a post-conflict Ukraine to develop a cutting-edge military capable of fending off future Russian attacks.

"Our security agreement is a truly unprecedented bilateral document," stated Zelenskyy.

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The French presidency said that a security accord will be signed on Friday night, but it gave no details on what would be included.

WAR FATIGUE During the July NATO summit, the G7 countries announced their intentions to offer Ukraine long-term defense support. However, alliance leaders were unable to establish a deadline for Ukraine's accession to the union.

During Prime Minister Rishi Sunak's visit to Ukraine in January, a preliminary agreement was made with the United Kingdom.