PARIS: France intends to complete a bilateral security guarantee accord with Ukraine by the start of 2024, its foreign ministry spokesperson said on Wednesday (Nov 29).
G7 countries in June unveiled an international framework for the long-term security of Ukraine to boost its finances and defences against Russia with a view to deterring Moscow from future aggression, officials said.
Unable to join NATO while the war with Russia continues – given that NATO’s Article 5, stipulating that an attack on one member is an attack on all, could push it into war with Russia – Ukraine has lobbied for long-term security commitments from its main backers.
Countries, including France, have been negotiating bilaterally since June, but there has been scant detail on what countries are willing to do and with the war entering its second year there are question marks about how committed Kyiv’s allies may be.
“On the security guarantees and the work we have been doing with our Ukrainians partners … we are working towards a conclusion of this accord with the Ukrainian authorities by the end of the year, start of next year,” Anne-Claire Legendre told reporters at a weekly news briefing.
A diplomatic source said early 2024 was more likely.
Source: CNA
