Over 20 countries sign new pact at NATO Summit to boost support for Kyiv, but Ukraine remains resolute in pursuit of membership – Zelensky

At the NATO summit, the leaders of the allied nations signed the Ukrainian Compact, a document outlining their commitments to support Ukraine, based on the discussions held. This Compact brings together countries that previously signed bilateral security agreements with Ukraine. President Volodymyr Zelensky emphasized that while these security agreements help strengthen Ukraine, they do not replace the country's ultimate goal of becoming a NATO member in the future.

The Office of the President reports that.

The agreement was signed by the leaders of the United States of America, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Iceland, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Spain, Sweden and the United Kingdom, together with the president of the European Council, the President of the European Commission and the President of Ukraine.

^{Photo: Office of the President}

In addition to Ukraine, the pact united 21 countries and the EU to support Ukraine.

The agreement provides for implementing the goals specified in Ukraine's bilateral agreements. The signatories undertake to support Ukraine in defense by providing military equipment, finances, and training to the Ukrainian military, which  includes working through:

• Ukraine Defense Contact Group,
• A coalition of possibilities,
• Security Support and Training Command for Ukraine,
• The EU mission, providing military aid to Ukraine.

^{Photo: Telegram / Volodymyr Zelensky}

The agreement also accelerates assistance for the development of Ukraine's future Defense Forces until 2027, with the prospect of extension into the 2030s. To do this, the Ukraine Defense Contact Group convenes at the ministerial level every six months to review and approve the development roadmap.

In case of a new Russian attack on Ukraine after the end of the current war, the signatory countries are obliged to quickly meet at the highest level to determine further steps to support Ukraine.

President Volodymyr Zelensky called the signing of the agreement a success for Ukraine "because it develops our security architecture."

^{Photo: Telegram / Volodymyr Zelensky}

"We will certainly fulfill every point – we have enough energy for this," he added.

Zelensky reminded us that last year at the NATO summit in Vilnius, "we took a very decisive step by adopting the G-7 declaration on the security of Ukraine."

"And we didn't waste time in vain. Now, we have a reliable architecture of security guarantees. With the Ukraine Compact, we are taking our relations to a new level, which is a significant achievement for Ukraine and all of us," concluded the President of Ukraine.

During the year, the President also noted that active work on "a reliable architecture of security guarantees for our country" continued.

"They are strengthening Ukraine, but they are not changing the goal of becoming a member of NATO," Zelensky emphasized.

He says there are 23 "strong agreements, and there will be agreements with other countries."

"We have a historically important security agreement with the United States," Zelensky said.

^{Photo: Telegram / Volodymyr Zelensky}

He added that all this work contributed to obtaining long-term commitments regarding:

• military aid,
• additional air defense systems,
• progress in the transfer of F-16 aircraft
• and development of defense cooperation.

"The Ukraine Compact elevates our relations to a new level. It is a significant achievement for Ukraine and all of us," the president emphasized.

It is also noted that the document is open for signing by other countries and fixes long-term military and defense support, the development of the future Defense Forces of Ukraine, and a mechanism for emergency consultations between partners in case of escalation of the ongoing war or possible aggression in the future.

The Office of the President's message also states that the Ukrainian agreement became part of the G7 Joint Declaration, which was agreed upon at the previous NATO summit in Vilnius in 2023.

Zelensky also stated at the Ukraine-NATO Council that the country "deserves an invitation to NATO" and spoke about Ukraine's role in European security against the background of Russian aggression.

"I am grateful for the Ukraine-NATO Council, which was created to make our path to the Alliance visible. And the real ticket for Ukraine to NATO is a fair end to this war. Without Ukraine in NATO, European security will never be complete," the president said.

He noted that Ukraine outside the Alliance is "a temptation for Russia to try aggression again and again, to become an aggressor, to enter Ukraine and other countries."

"Therefore, all formats of our cooperation, including this one, should be a bridge to Ukraine's victory in this war. Our victory should become a bridge to a lasting peace for the whole of Europe. All this should be based on one strong word – invitation. Ukraine deserves an invitation to NATO. This confidence will irreversibly become a strong pillar of the Alliance. Only strong decisions make winners," Zelensky's statement reads.

Zelensky thanked Biden for his leadership and efforts to ensure security cooperation was full of decisive actions.

As reported, the NATO summit is intended to be Ukraine's bridge to the Alliance and implement the necessary reforms.

For reference:

The 75th NATO anniversary summit was held in Washington, the capital of the United States of America, from July 9 to 11. At this summit, the leaders of the allied countries made several decisions concerning Ukraine.

The Allies announced their intention to provide Ukraine with a minimum base funding of 40 billion euros over the next year.

Also, at the reception after the round table "Women, peace and security," US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken announced $7 million in aid for Ukrainian female military personnel. These funds will be spent on over 10,000 uniforms, shoes, and other necessary equipment for military women.

On the sidelines of the summit, in addition to the planes, the USA, the Netherlands, Germany, Italy, and Romania leaders announced the transfer to Ukraine of five Patriot and SAMP-T strategic air defense systems and the provision of dozens of tactical air defense systems shortly.