Reuters: The European Union and Ukraine to Sign Security Pact

On Thursday, July 7, the European Union will sign a security agreement with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, committing to continue supplying weapons, military training, and other assistance to Kyiv in the coming years. According to a draft agreement seen by Reuters, the EU's commitment to assist Ukraine will cover nine security and defense areas, including the provision of weapons, military training, cooperation in defense industries, and mine clearance. It is expected that Volodymyr Zelensky will sign this security agreement at the summit of EU member states in Brussels, Belgium. His visit has not yet been officially announced, but diplomats say it will take place. This agreement complements similar agreements signed between Ukraine and its other allies to counter the Russian military invasion. Some countries, including the United States, the United Kingdom, France, and Germany, have previously signed security pacts with Kyiv. Reuters reports that under this pact, in the event of any 'future aggression,' the EU and Ukraine will consult on Kyiv's needs within 24 hours and will act swiftly in accordance with the established commitments. This document is part of broader efforts by Ukraine's partners to provide guarantees that they will stand by Kyiv for a long time. Meanwhile, there is still no end in sight for the war, and there is no immediate prospect for Ukraine to join the EU or NATO. Officials say such agreements are not like mutual defense pacts between NATO countries, but rather commitments to provide weapons and other assistance to Ukraine to strengthen its security and prevent any future aggression. The draft EU document states that the Union's commitments will remain in force 'as Ukraine follows its European path' and will be reviewed within a maximum of ten years. According to this document, the EU will allocate more than $5 billion to Ukraine's military aid fund this year. Air and drone attacks between Russia and Ukraine continue; there was an unprecedented dialogue between the defense ministers of the U.S. and Russia. Mark Rutte, the Prime Minister of the Netherlands and a staunch opponent of Putin, has become the new NATO Secretary-General. The process of negotiations for Ukraine's accession to the EU has begun. A prisoner exchange between Russia and Ukraine saw 90 captives from both sides return home with the mediation of the UAE. The International Criminal Court has issued arrest warrants for two senior Russian military officials. The EU has increased sanctions against Russia; circumventing sanctions is becoming more difficult. The exchange of fire between Russia and Ukraine has resulted in dozens of casualties.