This marks the 11th country with which Kyiv has established such an agreement. The agreement was signed today, May 28, by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo in Brussels, as reported by the president's office.
Key Highlights of the Agreement:
Financial Aid: Belgium commits to allocating at least 977 million euros for military aid to Ukraine this year.
Long-term Support: The agreement includes provisions for continued support over a ten-year period.
Military Aircraft: For the first time, a security agreement specifies the number of military aircraft to be provided. Belgium will supply 30 F-16 fighters to Ukraine by 2028, with the first deliveries expected this year.
Security Assistance: Belgium guarantees timely assistance with modern military equipment and weapons, addressing Ukraine's needs in air force, air defense, maritime security, demining, and ammunition.
Military Training: Belgium has pledged to facilitate military training for Ukrainian forces.
Defense Industry Cooperation: The agreement includes bilateral cooperation in the defense industry.
Peace Formula Support: Belgium supports Ukraine's peace formula and efforts to strengthen sanctions against Russia.
Compensation and Accountability: The agreement outlines compensation for damages, bringing Russia to justice, and the use of frozen Russian assets for Ukraine's needs.
Economic Recovery: Belgium will assist in Ukraine's economic recovery and reconstruction efforts.
Intelligence and Cyber Security: The agreement emphasizes deepened cooperation in intelligence, cyber security, and countering disinformation.
EU and NATO Support: Belgium reaffirms its support for Ukraine's future accession to the European Union and NATO.
This agreement aligns with the provisions of the G7 declaration adopted last year in Vilnius. In total, 32 states have joined the declaration. Ukraine has previously signed bilateral agreements with countries including Great Britain, Germany, France, Denmark, Canada, Finland, Latvia, Italy, the Netherlands, and Spain.
