Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who came to Brussels today to sign the security agreement with the European Union (EU), assessed that the text represents a stage "toward peace and prosperity" on the continent.
Zelensky came to Brussels a few days after the official start of negotiations on Ukraine joining the EU, more than two years after the start of the Russian invasion.
"Thank you to all the EU leaders for that historic result, we've been waiting for it for a long time. It's very important for all of us," said Zelenski today after arriving in Brussels to participate in the summit of heads of government and EU countries in view of the start of accession negotiations.
The leaders of the EU member states are gathering today in Brussels for a two-day summit, the main topics of which will be the distribution of leading positions in EU institutions and the strategic agenda for the next five years, as well as Ukraine and the Middle East.
Zelenski said that today he will discuss the next stages with the leaders of the Union, and emphasized the need for anti-aircraft defense against Russian attacks.
"We need that most urgently on the battlefield," Zelenski told reporters after shaking hands with the President of the European Council, Charles Michel.
Michel said that there is an opportunity to sign an additional bilateral agreement with Ukraine.
"It is very important for us to be able to convey the message that we intend to support Ukraine as long as necessary," Michel said.
Zelenski announced earlier on the X network that three security agreements will be signed, one of which is with the entire EU.
"For the first time, with this agreement, all 27 EU member states will undertake to provide important support to Ukraine, regardless of any internal changes," said Zelenski.
He said that each stage they pass "brings them closer to the historic goal of peace and prosperity in a common European home."
Ukraine has already signed 17 similar bilateral security agreements, among others with the US, France, Germany and Japan.
It is about Ukraine's allies pledging to provide it with military, financial, humanitarian and political assistance at a time when under-resourced Kiev is in trouble on the eastern front against Russia.
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