Zelensky signs French security pact following pact with Germany
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The French and German agreements are part of Zelensky's plan to get aid and support for his forces in the Ukraine-Russia conflict.
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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy left, and French President Emmanuel Macron shake hands after a press conference, Friday, Feb. 16, 2024, at the Elysee Palace in Paris. (AP)
Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky signed a security pact with his French counterpart Macron at the Elysee Palace yesterday.
Hours earlier, he completed a similar deal with Germany which was praised by Chancellor Olaf Scholz who described it as a "historic step" in support of Ukraine amid its conflict with Russia.
Both agreements are part of Zelensky's plan to get aid and support for his forces in the war against Russia.
The French agreement guarantees Ukraine up to 3 billion euros ($3.2 billion) in aid for 2024, after 1.7 billion in 2022 and 2.1 billion last year, officials revealed, adding that this agreement will run for 10 years, strengthening the artillery field cooperation.
This deal's main goal is to aid Ukraine with the "re-establishment of its territorial integrity within its internationally-recognized borders", and anticipate "any renewed Russian aggression," the officials confirmed.
In addition, this also sets a path for Ukraine's future emergence into the European Union and NATO, the officials added quoting the agreement "France affirms that a future Ukrainian membership would constitute a useful contribution to peace and stability in Europe."
Zelensky seeks every opportunity he gets
At the Munich Security Conference on Friday, which hosted many officials like US Vice President Kamala Harris, Zelensky made further pleas for financing and armaments.
Zelensky's European comes amid a very sensitive time for Ukraine as it struggling due to ammunition shortages and fresh Russian attacks and it is unclear whether Western aid, mainly from the US, will be provided, especially as the US elections are nearing. A potential $60-billion package of military aid has been stuck in the US since last year as Congress is in disagreement.
At a joint news conference with Macron, Zelensky stated he hoped the deals with Germany and France would add "an impulse" to US efforts for his country.
Regarding the conference in Munich, Harris said Joe Biden's administration "will work to secure critical weapons and resources that Ukraine so badly needs" as she described abandoning Kiev as a gift to (Russian President) Vladimir Putin."
