Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Friday signed long-term security agreements with both Germany and France.
Zelensky signed the first accord in Berlin during a presentation with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz. He then traveled to Paris, where he signed a similar agreement with French President Emmanuel Macron.
The moves come as Kyiv's European allies attempt to fill in gaps in Ukraine's military funding that have resulted from aid stalling in the United States. The U.S. has been the biggest supplier of military and financial aid to Ukraine throughout the war launched by Russian President Vladimir Putin in February 2022, but opposition to providing more funds and weapons has grown among Republicans in Congress.
While an aid package that earmarks $60 billion for Ukraine recently passed the U.S. Senate, the legislation is expected to meet more resistance in the GOP-led House of Representatives.
Among other guarantees, the new pact with Germany pledges more than $7.5 billion for military assistance in 2024.
During a joint press conference with Zelensky, Scholz called the agreement "a historic step."
"This document can hardly be underestimated. It shows that Germany will continue to help Ukraine with its defense against Russia's attacks," Scholz said.
While thanking Germany, Zelensky commented that Ukraine has experienced "a drop in support from our partners."
"The U.S. is a great power, and its support is essential to Ukraine's ability to defend itself," said Scholz.
Later on Friday, Zelensky addressed the press with Macron at the Elysee Palace in Paris.
"We have signed a very ambitious agreement. It concerns 3 billion euros ($3.2 billion) in military aid this year and full support for our EU and NATO aspirations," the Ukrainian leader said.
"We are determined to stand by your side and defeat Russia's war of aggression," Macron added.
In January, the United Kingdom signed the first long-term security agreement with Ukraine, which pledged $3.1 billion for 2024. The deals from all three countries cover a period of 10 years.
Newsweek reached out to the Ukrainian Ministry of Foreign Affairs via email on Friday night for comment.
Meanwhile, the Biden administration has called on Congress to push through more funding for Kyiv.
On Thursday, White House national security spokesperson John Kirby warned Russia is on the verge of claiming control of the strategically important city of Avdiivka due to Ukraine's lack of artillery shells.
"Avdiivka is at risk of falling into Russian control. In very large part, this is happening because Ukrainian forces on the ground are running out of artillery ammunition," Kirby said during a press briefing.
He added: "Russia is sending wave after wave of conscript forces to attack Ukrainian positions, and because Congress is yet to pass the supplemental bill, we've not been able to provide Ukraine with the artillery shells that they desperately need to disrupt these Russian assaults."
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Jon Jackson is an Associate Editor at Newsweek based in New York. His focus is on reporting on the Ukraine ... Read more
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