Ukraine Compact format to provide defense aid to Ukraine now and in future
That’s according to a joint statement signed following a meeting organized on the sidelines of the NATO Summit in Washington, as seen by Ukrinform.
"[W]e declare our enduring intent and commitment to ensure Ukraine can successfully defend its freedom, independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity today and deter acts of aggression in the future," the statement reads.
To achieve these vital goals, the respective nations commit to supporting Ukraine's immediate defense and security needs, including through the continued provision of security assistance and training, modern military equipment, and defense industrial and necessary economic support, working bilaterally and through existing multilateral mechanisms, including the Ukraine Defense Contact Group (UDCG) and its Capability Coalitions, NATO Security Assistance and Training for Ukraine (NSATU), and the EU Military Assistance Mission in support of Ukraine (EUMAM Ukraine).
The signatories pledge to accelerate efforts to build a Ukrainian future force that maintains a credible defense and deterrence capability. To this end, a meeting at the level of defense ministers will be convened within six months through the UDCG to review and approve roadmaps prepared by the leaders of the Capability Coalitions on future force development through 2027, in coordination with NSATU and EUMAM Ukraine, with a view to continue strengthening the force into the 2030s.
The possibility of a future Russian armed attack against following the conclusion of current hostilities is highlighted separately. To this end, it is planned to "convene swiftly and collectively at the most senior levels to determine appropriate next steps in supporting Ukraine as it exercises its right of self-defense as enshrined in Article 51 of the UN Charter, including the provision of swift and sustained security assistance and the imposition of economic and other costs on Russia."
The leaders emphasized their intention to resolutely uphold these commitments by leveraging the multilateral security architecture that supports Ukraine, consistent with their national laws and security and defense policies. The signatories intend to fulfill these commitments while Ukraine pursues its pathway toward future membership in the EU, NATO and the broader Euro-Atlantic community.
The leaders of the signatory nations confirmed that Ukraine’s security is integral to the security of the Euro-Atlantic space and beyond, and that they "intend to support Ukraine until it prevails against Russia's aggression."
They emphasized that Russia's illegal and unprovoked invasion of Ukraine is a threat to international peace and security, a gross violation of international law, including the UN Charter, which is incompatible with the security interests of Ukraine's partners.
The heads of state recognized Ukraine's commitment to reforms strengthening democracy, the rule of law, respect for human rights and media freedom, as needed to advance its Euro-Atlantic aspirations.
Currently, the United States, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Iceland, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Spain, Sweden and the UK, as well as the EU and Ukraine.
The Czech Republic and Slovenia, which have not yet signed security agreements with Ukraine, while planning to do so in the near future, also joined the statement.
Other countries wishing to contribute to the effort to ensure a free, democratic, independent, and sovereign Ukraine may join the Agreement after concluding a bilateral security deal or arrangement with Ukraine.
