Ukraine and Belgium sign agreement on security guarantees

This was stated by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, RBC-Ukraine reports, citing his Twitter post.

"Today in Brussels, Prime Minister Alexander de Kroo and I signed a bilateral agreement on security and long-term support between Ukraine and Belgium," he said.

The document includes at least 977 million euros in Belgian military aid to Ukraine this year, as well as Belgium's commitment to support Kyiv over the ten-year term of the agreement.

"For the first time, such an agreement specifies the exact number of F-16 fighters - 30 - to be delivered to Ukraine by 2028, with the first one arriving this year," Zelenskiy said.

The agreement guarantees Belgium timely security assistance, modern armored vehicles, equipment to meet the needs of Ukraine's Air Force and Air Defense, naval security, mine clearance, participation in the coalition of artillery ammunition, and military training.

The document also envisages defense industrial cooperation, support for the Ukrainian peace formula, tougher sanctions against Russia, compensation for damages, justice for the aggressor, the use of frozen Russian assets, and economic recovery.

Ukraine and Belgium will also deepen their cooperation in intelligence, cybersecurity and countering disinformation. Belgium also expresses support for Ukraine's future membership in the EU and NATO.

"I thank Prime Minister de Kroo, his government and all Belgians for their unwavering and long-term support for Ukraine," Zelenskyy added.

Author - Dmitriy Levchenko, 28/05/2024