Security cooperation was signed by Chancellor Soltz and Zelensky

German-Ukrainian security cooperation was signed earlier today by Chancellor Olaf Scholz and the Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky. Mr Solz spoke of a “historic step”, while Mr Zelensky thanked Germany for its “vital” support. Germany becomes the second after the Britain country that signs a bilateral security agreement with Ukraine, with the aim of covering the period until the country's accession to NATO. Later today, a corresponding agreement is expected to be signed with France, while the rest of the countries of the Group of Seven (G7) will follow.

According to the chancellor, as reported by the Athens News Agency, the agreement with Germany provides aid of 1.1 billion euros and includes delivery among others 36 anti-tank shells and wheeled howitzers from defense industry stocks, 120,000 rounds of artillery, two additional air defense systems and Iris-T missiles. “The agreement shows that Germany will support Ukraine as long as necessary,” Mr Scholz said, and repeated his call to the US Congress to approve further aid to Kiev as soon as possible.

“I really appreciate the fact that you stand by us, as does the whole of Germany. We need it right now. These are weapons that my country desperately needs at the moment,” said Volodymyr Zelensky, referring to the reduction in arms deliveries from other allies, stressing that German aid is “vital for our people fighting at the front” and describing as “the most valuable and strongest to date”, as “an unprecedented text”, which “reflects not only the level of bilateral relations, but also Germany's fundamental role in maintaining order in Europe and the world”.

Mr. Zelensky then met with Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier and moves on to Paris, where he will meet with President Emmanuel Macron. Tomorrow he is expected in Munich, where he will speak at the Security Conference and will have a meeting, among others, with the vice president of the USA, Kamala Harris.