G7 agrees on framework of security guarantees for Ukraine. They will form future agreements’ basis

This was announced at the NATO summit, broadcast by Espreso TV.

"Today, the G7 countries have developed a framework for security guarantees that will be further supplemented and will meet our urgent needs," President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy said.

US President Joe Biden said that the declaration outlines support for Ukraine in the short and long term.

“Today, the members of the G-7 are launching the joint declaration of support for Ukraine to make it clear that our support will last long into the future,” President Biden said. He stated that all countries interested in joining the declaration to guarantee Ukraine's security were welcome to do so. The objective was to reinforce collective defense without limitations and ensure its resilience against any potential threats.

He also emphasized that all the allies agreed that Ukraine's future is in NATO.

Biden added that Ukraine will continue to make progress on the “necessary reforms,” but he underlined that all participants had collectively reaffirmed their enduring commitments.

Andriy Yermak, the Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine, expressed satisfaction with the agreed declaration, considering it a significant achievement. He highlighted the extensive efforts undertaken by the national security advisers from the United States, the United Kingdom, France, and Germany, as well as the engagement with other partners, during several months of dedicated work.

"I consider this result an important victory for Ukraine on its way to NATO, and I will explain why. Today's declaration is a joint product that takes into account both the needs of Ukraine and the capabilities of the allies," explains Yermak.

He said that in September last year, an international group headed by Yermak and former NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen prepared a document with proposals for guarantees - the Kyiv Security Compact. They were included in the Joint Declaration agreed by the G7 partners.

Yermak explained that the declaration is a general framework document. According to him, the next step is to conclude a system of bilateral security agreements between Ukraine and individual guarantor countries.

The key thesis of the declaration is the confirmation of the fact that Ukraine's security is a component of the security of the Euro-Atlantic region. This thesis is reinforced by the reference to Ukraine's future membership in NATO.

What does the declaration include?

"We, the Leaders of the Group of Seven (G7), reaffirm our unwavering commitment to the strategic objective of a free, independent, democratic, and sovereign Ukraine, within its internationally recognized borders, capable of defending itself and deterring future aggression," the joint statement reads.

What security guarantees provide:

• Ensuring a sustainable force capable of defending Ukraine now and deterring Russian aggression in the future, through the continued provision of:    security assistance and modern military equipment, across land, air, and sea domains – prioritizing air defense, artillery and long-range fires, armored vehicles, and other key capabilities, such as combat air, and by promoting increased interoperability with Euro-Atlantic partners;   support to further develop Ukraine’s defense industrial base;   training and training exercises for Ukrainian forces;   intelligence sharing and cooperation;  support for cyber defense, security, and resilience initiatives, including to address hybrid threats.
• Strengthening Ukraine’s economic stability and resilience, including through reconstruction and recovery efforts, to create the conditions conducive to promoting Ukraine’s economic prosperity, including its energy security.
• Providing technical and financial support for Ukraine’s immediate needs stemming from Russia’s war as well as to enable Ukraine to continue implementing the effective reform agenda that will support the good governance necessary to advance towards its Euro-Atlantic aspirations.

In addition, it provides for measures in case of new Russian aggression, which include immediate consultations to provide Ukraine with everything it needs for defense as soon as possible.

The Allies also pledge to continue their support in holding Russia accountable for its aggression and to take economic and legal steps to punish Russia and increase its costs of war. These include: further strengthening sanctions pressure, freezing assets, establishing mechanisms for collecting reparations, and prosecuting those responsible for crimes against Ukraine and Ukrainians in accordance with international law;

For its part, Ukraine is committed to:

• Contributing positively to partner security and to strengthen transparency and accountability measures with regard to partner assistance;
• Continuing implementation of the law enforcement, judiciary, anti-corruption, corporate governance, economic, security sector, and state management reforms that underscore its commitments to democracy, the rule of law, respect for human rights and media freedoms, and put its economy on a sustainable path;
• Advancing defense reforms and modernization including by strengthening democratic civilian control of the military and improving efficiency and transparency across Ukraine’s defense institutions and industry.

The EU and its member states stand ready to contribute to these efforts and will quickly consider modalities for such a contribution.

NATO summit and Ukraine's accession to the Alliance

On July 11 to 12, a summit of NATO leaders is taking place in Vilnius. Meetings are held at the level of leaders and governments. For the first time, the summit is hosted by Lithuania. The events are taking place at the LITEXPO convention center. Thousands of military personnel provide security during the events, with Patriot and NASAMS air defense systems protecting the sky.

The meetings are attended by leaders of 31 NATO countries, including US President Joe Biden, and delegations from Japan, South Korea, New Zealand, Australia, Ukraine, and Sweden. In total, over 2,400 members of 48 foreign delegations, including up to 40 heads of state and 150 other high-ranking government officials, were expected to arrive in Vilnius. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is also attending the summit.

In particular, on July 11, the NATO summit in Vilnius adopted a package of decisions regarding Ukraine: the Membership Action Plan phase is canceled, and the country will receive an invitation to join the Alliance after fulfilling the requirements for accession and subject to the consent of all allies. 

Volodymyr Zelenskyy was outraged by the existence of "conditions" for Ukraine to receive an invitation to NATO and said that it looked like "unwillingness to invite our country to the Alliance."

The Allies reached a consensus on a conclusive communiqué regarding Ukraine, affirming their 2008 commitment that Ukraine would eventually join NATO. The document further acknowledged that Ukraine's journey towards complete Euro-Atlantic integration has surpassed the benchmarks outlined in the Membership Action Plan. Member states emphasized Ukraine's increasing operational and political integration with the Alliance, as well as the notable advancements made in implementing reforms. Additionally, it was stated that NATO foreign ministers will conduct regular evaluations of progress through the Annual National Program.

Ukraine's Foreign Minister, Dmytro Kuleba, shared his response to the decisions made during the first day of the Vilnius NATO Summit. He expressed the belief that the Alliance should not postpone Ukraine's accession to NATO. 

Furthermore, he mentioned that NATO did not specify the conditions that Ukraine needs to meet in order to join the Alliance, and it remains unclear who should be responsible for formulating those conditions.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy commented on the results of the NATO summit and said that if Ukraine had received an invitation to join the Alliance, it "would have been ideal."