Ukraine and UK sign security agreement

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak have signed a security accord between the two countries in Kyiv.

Zelenskyy described it as an “unprecedented security agreement.” Local media cited the Ukrainian president as saying the pact would remain in effect until Ukraine joined NATO.

Sunak’s office says the deal “formalizes a range of support the UK has been and will continue to provide for Ukraine’s security, including intelligence sharing, cyber security, medical and military training, and defense industrial cooperation.”

Ukraine has been promised eventual NATO membership, but this is almost impossible while the country remains at war. From Kyiv’s point of view, accession to the Western alliance — which has several nuclear powers among its members — would prevent Russia from continuing its aggression.

UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak arrived in Kyiv on Friday. His visit comes at a crucial time for Ukraine following several recent waves of intense Russian strikes and waning optimism as the war nears its two-year anniversary and US and EU military support has gotten caught up in political infighting.

“I am in Ukraine to deliver a simple message,” the prime minister wrote on X, formerly Twitter.

“Our support cannot and will not falter. To all Ukrainians, Britain is with you — for as long as it takes.”

Source: DW