Signing a security agreement with Ukraine, for the first time in history, Germany plays the role of guarantor country; Mr. Zelensky talks about confiscation of Russian assets

On February 16, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky signed a security agreement in Berlin, at the same time as the Munich Security Conference opened in the southern part of the Western European country.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz (right) and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at a press conference in Berlin, Germany, February 16. (Source: Reuters)

As part of the security agreement signed, Berlin has prepared an additional military assistance package for Kiev worth 1.13 billion euros ($1.22 billion) focusing on air defense and artillery forces, according to the German Defense Ministry .

In a statement, German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius said: “This agreement is historic. For the first time in history, the Federal Republic of Germany plays the role of guarantor state.”

The aid package, known as the “Munich Package,” includes provisions for the delivery of 120,000 122mm artillery shells, as well as 100 IRIS-T SLS missiles this year, as well as a second SkyNext air defense system to be delivered in 2025.

In addition, Berlin will supply Kiev with 18 more Panzerhaubitze self-propelled guns from German reserves in 2026 and 2027, including operator training, spare parts and ammunition.

The Panzerhaubitze 2000 is one of the most powerful artillery pieces in the German army's arsenal.

Earlier on February 16, speaking at a joint press conference with President Zelensky after signing the bilateral security agreement, Prime Minister Scholz affirmed: "We will not stop supporting Ukraine."

For his part, Mr. Zelensky assessed that Berlin's support policy for Kiev plays a "very important" role in the context of declining military support from other partners while Moscow has an important advantage in artillery on the front line.

The Ukrainian leader also called for the seizure of all Russian assets to finance the reconstruction of the Eastern European country.

Source: https://baoquocte.vn/ky-thoa-thuan-an-ninh-voi-ukraine-lan-dau-tien-trong-lich-su-duc-dong-vai-tro-quoc-gia-bao-lanh-ong-zelensky-noi-ve-viec-tich-thu-tai-san-nga-261090.html