The European Union has agreed on a draft security guarantee agreement with Ukraine.
According to Welt, which has reviewed the document, this agreement notably excludes any provision for the deployment of European troops in Ukraine.
A Commitment to Consultation and Support
The document details a structured commitment by the EU to support Ukraine in its right to self-defense under Article 51 of the UN Charter.
Should Ukraine face aggression in the future, the EU pledges to conduct consultations within 24 hours to assess Ukraine's needs.
EU member states are committing to a broad spectrum of support for Ukraine’s long-term security.
This includes military, civil, humanitarian, financial, trade, and economic assistance.
Additionally, the commitment extends to accommodating Ukrainian refugees and aiding in the nation’s post-war reconstruction.
Validity Until NATO or EU Membership
These guarantees are set to be effective until Ukraine becomes a member of either NATO or the European Union.
Currently, European officials are in discussions with Kyiv, with plans to finalize and sign the agreement by early July, as per Welt’s report.
France’s Initial Military Proposal and Current Stance
Interestingly, the initial suggestion of sending military forces to Ukraine came from French President Emmanuel Macron in February, who later spearheaded a coalition of willing countries, including Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia.
However, Macron has outlined specific conditions under which Western troops might engage in the conflict, requiring a breach in the front line by the Russian forces and a formal request for assistance from Kyiv.
On his part, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has asserted that there is currently no need for foreign troops on Ukrainian territory, a stance that aligns with the EU’s non-military approach as outlined in the draft agreement.
