Vitaly Saenko23:55, 02/16/24

France intends to help Ukraine create an army that will completely restore territorial integrity within the 1991 borders.

The text of the Security Cooperation Agreement between Ukraine and France , which was signed in Paris on February 16 by Presidents Vladimir Zelensky and Emmanuel Macron, was published to the general public on the website of the President of Ukraine .

Long-term obligations of France

In particular, Ukraine and France jointly “reaffirm their support for the sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of Ukraine within its internationally recognized borders since 1991.” Both countries wish to reaffirm the sovereign right of each state to freely choose its own security measures.

The agreement notes that the security of Ukraine is an integral part of Euro-Atlantic and world security.

In this regard, France confirms that Ukraine’s upcoming accession to NATO would make a useful contribution to peace and stability in Europe. Ukraine and France will coordinate and strengthen joint efforts to support Ukraine’s accession to NATO.

At the same time, the document defines three main components of the long-term security commitments undertaken by France towards Ukraine:

• providing comprehensive assistance to Ukraine to protect and restore its territorial integrity within its internationally recognized borders, as well as economic recovery and recovery;
• prevention, active deterrence and measures to be taken in relation to any new aggression on the part of the Russian Federation;
• supporting Ukraine’s integration into European and Euro-Atlantic institutions, in particular by supporting Ukraine’s accession to the EU and interoperability with NATO.

There will also be cooperation to “enable Ukraine to detect, deter and prevent any cyber aggression, cyber espionage, in particular by strengthening cyber resilience and protecting critical infrastructure from cyber attacks.”

In addition, France will contribute to the development of capabilities to protect Ukraine’s critical infrastructure, including through military means, giving priority to, but not limited to, modern air defense capabilities.

The agreement states that Ukraine and France will continue and strive to deepen their cooperation in the field of intelligence and counterintelligence.t “disappear”

“Participants will take measures to counter the activities of dangerous organized crime, primarily to counter individuals and groups of individuals who are trying to penetrate Ukrainian society, have criminal influence in certain regions, including temporarily occupied territories, and who are actively used as an instrument of hybrid warfare to impede the processes of restoration and achievement of peace in Ukraine,” the agreement states.

Military support and actions in the event of a new Russian attack on Ukraine

At the same time, in the event of an upcoming Russian armed attack on Ukraine, both countries will hold consultations within 24 hours to determine the measures necessary to counter or contain the aggression.

“Under such circumstances and in accordance with its legal and constitutional obligations, the French participant will provide Ukraine with rapid and long-term security assistance, modern military equipment in all areas in accordance with needs and economic assistance; it will impose costs on Russia, in particular economic , and consult with Ukraine regarding its needs to exercise its right to self-defense enshrined in Article 51 of the Charter of the United Nations,” the agreement states.

In addition, Ukraine and France “will work together and with Ukraine’s other partners to ensure the ability of the Ukrainian Security and Defense Forces to fully restore the territorial integrity of Ukraine within its internationally recognized borders since 1991, and to enhance Ukraine’s resilience in a manner that so that it is sufficient to deter and defend against future attacks.”

Both countries “will work together to build a resilient force capable of defending Ukraine today and deterring Russian aggression in the future, through the consistent provision of security assistance and advanced military equipment in the land, air, sea, space and cyber domains, providing priority, but not limited to , air defense, artillery, long-range weapons, armored vehicles, air force capabilities and other critical capabilities.”

France will help Ukraine develop comprehensive military capabilities in various areas, which are not exhaustive.

Ukraine needs to prepare for such a level in order to quickly become a NATO member, – Stoltenberg

In particular, firstly, we are talking about military equipment, including through industrial cooperation, primarily in the fields of artillery and air defense, as well as in the fields of armored vehicles, maritime security, military medical support, information technology and mine clearance.

Secondly, it is the training of Ukrainian security and defense forces both at the national level and within the European framework, including a train-the-trainer program, specialized training in areas such as artillery, air defense, armored vehicles, air force and maritime security, new technologies and mine clearance.

Third, structural support for defense sector reform.

At the same time, France will contribute to the development of Ukraine’s defense industrial base, in particular by attracting French investment, localizing production on the territory of Ukraine and joint production for the manufacture of priority types of weapons and ammunition. The participants will contribute to the creation of joint ventures, in particular for the maintenance and repair of weapons and military equipment.

There will also be an exchange of information about each other’s defense research and development with the aim of implementing joint projects and programs aimed at developing new weapons and equipment.

France will support Ukraine’s efforts to integrate its defense industry into the NATO and EU security and defense systems.

Russia’s responsibility

Also, the agreement states that the Russian Federation must pay for the long-term restoration of Ukraine.

“Under the French legal system, sovereign Russian assets under French jurisdiction remain frozen until the Russian Federation pays for the losses it caused to Ukraine,” the agreement states.

France, in cooperation with its partners, will continue to explore all legal avenues, compatible with relevant treaty obligations and consistent with European and international law, through which Russian assets could be used to support Ukraine.

In addition, France will remain determined to apply strict sanctions in the European context against sectors of the Russian economy, as well as against those inside and outside the Russian Federation who support or benefit from the war, or who help circumvent sanctions in third countries.

“Participants reaffirm that there should be no impunity for war crimes and other atrocities and that the Russian Federation must bear legal responsibility for them, including reparations for any damage caused by such acts, which will also help deter future attacks and support Ukraine’s resilience,” it said. agreement.

In particular, participants will seek to bring to justice those responsible for war crimes and other international crimes committed in or against Ukraine in the context of Russia’s war of aggression.

This agreement is valid for ten years from the date of its signing.

“If Ukraine becomes a member of NATO before the expiration of this agreement, the participants will make a decision regarding its further status,” the document says.

Agreements on the security of Ukraine with partner countries

As UNIAN wrote, Ukraine previously concluded security agreements with two European countries. The first such document was signed with Great Britain back in January. At the same time, the US Ambassador to Ukraine Bridget Brink said that negotiations were ongoing on signing a similar agreement between Kiev and Washington.

This afternoon, Vladimir Zelensky signed a security agreement with Germany . In content, all three agreements – with the British, Germans and French – are very similar.

(C)UNIAN 2024