Ukriane and Iceland sign bilateral security agreement
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Prime Minister of Iceland Bjarni Benediktsson signed an agreement on security cooperation and long-term support, Ukrainian Presidential Office reported on May 31.
As part of the agreement, Iceland pledged to provide comprehensive and long-term economic, humanitarian, and defense support to Ukraine, as well as to facilitate its future membership in the EU and NATO.
During 2024-2028, Iceland will annually allocate at least 4 billion Icelandic kronor (almost $30 million). Support for Ukraine will last for entire term of the agreement. Iceland is also ready to finance, purchase and supply defense materials and equipment, as well as cooperate with Ukraine to develop its defense industry.
According to the President's Office, uniqueness of signed agreement lies in fact that Iceland undertakes to continue transporting military supplies and equipment from NATO allies to Ukraine by chartered aircraft. In addition, Iceland will pay special attention supporting and equipping women in the Ukrainian Armed Forces.
The agreement provides for support for Ukrainian peace formula, sanctions against Russia, compensation for damage, and support in bringing Russian regime to justice. It also mentions strengthening of social and civilian infrastructure, including education and energy security. Iceland undertakes to strengthen its diplomatic representation in Kyiv to cooperate with Ukrainian government, parliament, civil society, and private sector.
The agreement was signed in pursuance of the G7 Joint Declaration adopted last year on July 12.
Ukraine's security treaties with other countries
In July 2023, the G7 leaders announced that they had agreed on a declaration on security guarantees for Ukraine.
As of the end of May, Ukraine had signed 12 bilateral security agreements: with the United Kingdom, Germany, France, Denmark, Canada, Italy, the Netherlands, Finland, Latvia, Belgium, Spain, and Portugal.
Financial Times on May 30 reported that Ukrainian and US Presidents Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Joe Biden would sign a bilateral security agreement on the sidelines of the G7 meeting in Italy ahead of the peace summit on June 16-17.
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