Today, Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy signed bilateral security assurances with Ukraine in Berlin. Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock and other federal ministers were also present. The bilateral security assurances are based on a G7 Joint Declaration by the Heads of State and Government from July last year on the margins of the NATO Summit in Vilnius. In this Joint Declaration, the G7 countries pledged that all signatory states would conclude agreements on security commitments with Ukraine. After all, Ukraine is not only defending its own freedom, its people and its territorial integrity, but also the freedom and security of Europe.

These security assurances do not make Germany a party to the war in Ukraine. However, they send a strong message that we are not letting up in our support and are standing shoulder to shoulder with Ukraine. The security assurances build on the broad-based support with which Germany has assisted Ukraine in its defence for two years. This Agreement gives Ukraine planning security and also sends a clear signal to Russia that our support is for the long term and that we have staying power – “for as long as it takes”.

Thirty-two countries ready to form a network of security assurances for Ukraine

In addition to the G7, 25 other countries and the EU have also signed on to the Joint Declaration.

All partners are currently working hard to finalise their agreements with Ukraine. So far, the UK is the only country to have finalised and published its Agreement with Ukraine. The Agreement with France will also be signed today.

Foreign Minister Baerbock emphasised the following:

Broad range of security assurances

This is a politically binding Agreement. It is intended to be valid for ten years, with the option to extend it. In terms of content, its focus is on military and security policy support. This includes, in particular, the future capabilities of the Ukrainian armed forces and their training, defence industry cooperation and the reform of the Ukrainian security and defence sector, in addition to cyber and intelligence cooperation.

The text also reaffirms our broad commitment to the civilian sector, in particular in the area of economic cooperation and reconstruction. Germany and Ukraine have also agreed to set up a consultation mechanism in the event of future Russian aggression against Ukraine.

Click here to read the Agreement

Intensive negotiations and preparations since summer 2023 as a team effort

On behalf of the Federal Government, the negotiations were conducted by the Federal Chancellery and the Federal Foreign Office, with the involvement of other ministries concerned.