By Alexander Ratz, Yuliia Dysa and Michel Rose
France's President Emmanuel Macron (R) shakes hands with Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky (L) at the presidential Elysee palace in Paris, after signing a bilateral security agreement. Photo: Thibault Camus / POOL / AFP
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky signed a new long-term security pact with France on Friday, after securing a similar deal and aid from Germany, in a tour jolted by news of the death of jailed Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny.
Zelensky is visiting Germany and France to drum up military assistance at a critical point in the war against Russia, with Ukrainian troops trying to hold back Russian forces closing in on the eastern town of Avdiivka and the United States struggles to pass a "vital" multibillion-dollar military aid package for Ukraine.
"It's an ambitious, very substantive security agreement," Zelensky told reporters alongside President Emmanuel Macron. "This is not an alternative to the United States. We are all together and this union is necessary to defeat Russia."
The 10-year security pact with France includes commitments by Paris to deliver more arms, train soldiers and send up to €3 billion (NZ$5.3b) in military aid to Ukraine in 2024, Macron said, outlining that Paris had offered €1.7b in 2022 and €2.1b in 2023.
"Our commitment to Ukraine will not weaken," Macron told a joint news conference, adding that the "Kremlin regime" had entered a new phase that was now clearly showing more aggression towards European countries.
"By helping our Ukrainian partner, we are investing in our security," Macron said.
Zelensky, wearing his trademark khaki fatigues, smiled as he shook Macron's hand in the Elysee palace after the two leaders signed the pact, which has been negotiated over the past few months.
German package
The German security pact, which will last for 10 years, commits Germany to supporting Ukraine with military assistance and hitting Russia with sanctions and export controls, and ensuring that Russian assets remain frozen.
Berlin has also prepared another immediate support package worth €1.13b that is focused on air defence and artillery.
"The document's importance cannot be overestimated. It makes clear that Germany will continue to support an independent Ukraine in its defence against the Russian invasion," Scholz said.
"And if in the future there is another Russian aggression we have agreed detailed diplomatic, economic and military support," he added.
Zelensky said the aid was critical as military supplies from other partners had decreased while Russia had an advantage in artillery on the front line.
News of Navalny's death in a Russian prison broke just before the two leaders were due to speak. Navalny had spent time in Germany recuperating from poisoning with a military-grade nerve agent in Siberia in 2020 before he headed back to Russia.
"I met Navalny here in Berlin when he was trying to recover from the poisoning attack in Germany and also talked to him about the great courage it takes to return to the country," Scholz said.
"And he has probably now paid for this courage with his life," he said.
Shifting challenges
Zelensky landed in Germany as the war with Russia nears its third year. It marks his first foreign trip since he replaced his popular army chief and reshuffled his military command.
Germany was the second Ukrainian ally after Britain to sign a bilateral security deal ensuring support until Ukraine reaches its goal of joining the NATO military alliance.
"A new security architecture for Ukraine, as well as new opportunities. We are making every effort to end the war as soon as possible on fair Ukrainian terms and ensure a lasting peace," Zelensky said on social media as he landed in Germany.
Kyiv says the security arrangements with allies would in no way replace its strategic goal of joining NATO.
Zelensky was also expected to give a speech at the Munich security conference on Saturday. Several bilateral meetings on the sidelines are planned, including with US Vice President Kamala Harris.
- Reuters