Ukraine presses EU on promised weapons, as security pact is signed

Ukraine’s president called on European Union leaders on Thursday to live up to their promises to provide military equipment to his war-ravaged country, as the bloc pledged to support the government in Kyiv long term.

“Fulfilment of every promise is important, not only in terms of protecting lives but also to destroy the Russian illusion that they will achieve something by war,” President Volodymyr Zelensky told the leaders at an EU summit in Brussels.

Russian forces are seeking to press their advantage in troop numbers and weaponry before Ukraine’s armed forces are bulked up by promised new Western military aid, some of which is trickling to the front line, analysts say.

Zelensky thanked countries that have promised equipment, weapons and ammunition, but underlined that “we need them urgently on the battlefield”. He also appealed for more help on “the urgent things – air defence, that is one”.

Zelensky and the leaders signed a 12-page document of “joint security commitments” to each other. In essence, it encapsulates what the 27-nation bloc has been doing for the country in terms of financial, military and other aid since Russian forces invaded in February 2022.

The EU, for its part, commits to the “predictable, efficient, sustainable and long-term provision of military equipment,” help with military training and building Ukraine’s defence sector, plus increased cooperation on cyber and hybrid threats, like information manipulation and interference.