Kyiv and London signed an agreement on security guarantees

DW:  Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky and British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak signed an agreement on security guarantees that will remain in force until Ukraine joins NATO. The signing of the agreement took place on Friday, January 12, during the visit of the head of the British government to Kyiv.

The agreement stipulates that in the event of a new attack on Ukraine, the UK will consult with it and provide “swift and sustained support”. London will also continue to share intelligence with Kiev, cooperate on cybersecurity and defense industry, and train medical workers and military personnel.

Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky said that if the agreement had been signed in 1991, war with Russia would have been prevented.

The British authorities, in turn, called the agreement reached with Kiev “historic.” Earlier in the day, British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak announced that the country would provide £2.5 billion in military aid to Ukraine in 2024.

The UK became the first state to sign an agreement with Ukraine in accordance with the declaration adopted by the G7 member countries. In accordance with this document, each of the G7 countries has undertaken to provide Ukraine with security guarantees.

Deputy Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine Igor Zhovkva expressed hope that other partners of Ukraine “will follow London’s example.”