Share

'Defeat this bet that Russia is making': Zelensky to sign security pacts with Germany, France

accreditation
0:00
play article
Subscribers can listen to this article
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky will travel to Berlin to sign a security pact.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky will travel to Berlin to sign a security pact.
Sergei Supinsky/AFP
  • Ukraine, Germany and France are set to sign a security pact.
  • Volodymyr Zelensky will meet Olaf Scholz and Emmanuel Macron on Friday.
  • The United Kingdom and Ukraine signed a bilateral security agreement in January.


Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is travelling to Berlin and Paris on Friday to sign security pacts with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and French President Emmanuel Macron, officials said.

Zelensky's trip to the European Union's two largest countries comes as Moscow's invasion of Ukraine enters a third year.

Kyiv's troops face an increasingly difficult situation on the eastern frontlines because of ammunition shortages and fresh Russian attacks.

Zelensky and Scholz were due to sign a bilateral security pact on Friday covering Ukraine's "long-term security commitments and support", the German government said.

The French president's office said Macron and Zelensky planned to sign a security agreement at the Elysee Palace on Friday evening.

READ | 'Extremely complex and stressful': Ukraine holds 1 000km front line against Russian troops

"This agreement follows commitments made within the G7 format on the sidelines of the NATO summit in Vilnius in July 2023," Macron's office said on Thursday.

At the time, NATO leaders did not set a timetable for Ukraine to join the bloc, but the G7 countries pledged to provide Ukraine with long-term security support.

"We are determined to defeat this bet that Russia is making" on "the long term, of us running out of steam", a presidential advisor told AFP.

A Ukrainian serviceman of the 82nd Separate Air As
A Ukrainian serviceman of the 82nd Separate Air Assault Brigade prepares for combat Challenger 2 tank in an undisclosed location near frontline in Zaporizhzhia region, on 12 February 2024, amid the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
This handout photograph released on 14 February 20
This handout photograph released on 14 February 2024 by the Press service of Ukrainian Armed Forces, shows Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Oleksandr Syrsky (2nd L) and Ukraine's Defence Minister Rustem Umerov (L) visiting the frontline positions at an undisclosed location in eastern Ukraine.

The United Kingdom and Ukraine signed a bilateral security agreement in January, and Kyiv is in talks with other countries.

Such security deals may include the provision of modern military equipment and the training of Ukrainian soldiers.

Zelensky's office also said he would address the Munich Security Conference on Saturday, where he will hold talks with US Vice President Kamala Harris.

The Ukrainian leader was also set to hold meetings with the leaders of the Czech Republic, Denmark, and the Netherlands.

Since Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022, France has been one of Kyiv's top supporters.

Macron said in January that he planned to visit Ukraine in February, but his team did not provide further details.

Macron has pushed France's defence industry to switch to "war economy" mode and ramp up production.

In January, the French president called on European countries to prepare to back Ukraine in case Washington decided to pull the plug on aid.

We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred
Who we choose to trust can have a profound impact on our lives. Join thousands of devoted South Africans who look to News24 to bring them news they can trust every day. As we celebrate 25 years, become a News24 subscriber as we strive to keep you informed, inspired and empowered.
Join News24 today
heading
description
username
Show Comments ()
Voting Booth
Should the Proteas pick Faf du Plessis for the T20 World Cup in West Indies and the United States in June?
Please select an option Oops! Something went wrong, please try again later.
Results
Yes! Faf still has a lot to give ...
67% - 1017 votes
No! It's time to move on ...
33% - 492 votes
Vote
Rand - Dollar
18.76
+1.4%
Rand - Pound
23.43
+0.3%
Rand - Euro
20.08
+0.2%
Rand - Aus dollar
12.25
+0.3%
Rand - Yen
0.12
+0.2%
Platinum
924.10
-0.0%
Palladium
959.00
+0.1%
Gold
2,337.68
0.0%
Silver
27.19
-0.0%
Brent Crude
89.50
+0.6%
Top 40
69,358
+1.3%
All Share
75,371
+1.4%
Resource 10
62,363
+0.4%
Industrial 25
103,903
+1.3%
Financial 15
16,161
+2.2%
All JSE data delayed by at least 15 minutes Iress logo
Editorial feedback and complaints

Contact the public editor with feedback for our journalists, complaints, queries or suggestions about articles on News24.

LEARN MORE