In Ukraine, British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak did not come empty-handed on Friday, January 12th. During his visit to Kiev, the tenant of 10 Downing Street announced that the United Kingdom would provide almost 3 billion euros in aid to Ukraine over the next two years. Rishi Sunak primarily mentioned military aid, but this was also accompanied by a completely new type of security cooperation agreement.
Published on: 01/13/2024 – 00:17
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With our correspondent in Kyiv, Stephane Siohan
It is not yet the 19th century-style Crimean War in which the United Kingdom faces the Russian Empire, but the signing of a bilateral security cooperation agreement between London and Kiev in Kiev on Friday represents “a historic event, without exaggeration,” in Ihor's words Jovka, a close advisor to Volodymyr Zelensky.
“First of all, this means more security, anti-tank weapons, missiles, hundreds of thousands of new artillery shells and the training of thousands of Ukrainian soldiers,” said Rishi Sunak, who received a standing ovation in the Ukrainian parliament after unfurling the Union Jack flag, signed by all members of his Cabinet.
This is the first time that a country has signed such a mutual security agreement with Ukraine: the text guarantees that in the event of external aggression or a deterioration of the current situation, Britain undertakes to coordinate an emergency response within 24 hours. A response that includes, if necessary, the immediate and automatic delivery of military equipment both by land, sea and air without prior request.
It didn't take much for Dmitry Medvedev, the vice-president of the Russian Security Council, to declare that any deployment of British troops to Ukraine would be viewed as a declaration of war between London and Moscow.