Ukraine vows to defend UK within 24 hours if attacked by Russia

British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak accompanies Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky during a visit to the presidential palace in Kiev, Ukraine on January 12 (Photo: Reuters).

Ukrainian Prime Minister Denis Shmygal said on January 13 that the recent security agreement between Ukraine and the UK is "bilateral" and ensures mutual support.

"Therefore, Ukraine will have to react in one way or another to support the UK in case Russia takes military action against our friends, partners and allies," said Mr. Shmygal.

“Not only will Britain have to respond within 24 hours to any aggression against Ukraine, but Ukraine will also defend its ally and partner within 24 hours,” Shmygal said.

Mr Shmygal also called the signing of the agreement a “historic moment” and expressed hope that other countries would follow suit.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak signed a bilateral security agreement on January 12. The document, titled "Agreement on Security Cooperation between Ukraine and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland," was signed after talks at the Mariinsky Palace in Kiev.

The G7 countries agreed on a framework document to ensure Ukraine’s security at the NATO summit in Vilnius, Lithuania, in July 2023. Specific bilateral agreements with countries that have agreed to provide security obligations are expected to follow.

The January 12 agreement is the first security document to implement the framework document in the form of a bilateral treaty.

President Zelensky said the UK's security commitments under the document would remain in force until Ukraine joined NATO. "If Ukraine had received such guarantees in 1991, especially with the UK, the current war would not have happened," Zelensky said.

Mr Sunak stressed that this was "the first security guarantee signed by Ukraine". The British Prime Minister stressed that Britain was the first country to provide Ukraine with lethal weapons, tanks, long-range missiles...

The two leaders also said that the agreement is valid for 10 years and can be extended. However, if Ukraine joins NATO before the security commitments expire, the agreement will be terminated and it will be included in the NATO system.

Also during his visit to Kiev, Mr. Sunak announced that the UK will provide military aid to Ukraine of 2.5 billion pounds ($3.1 billion).

The new military aid package will include air defense equipment, anti-tank weapons, long-range missiles and thousands of rounds of ammunition. The deal will also provide training for thousands more Ukrainian soldiers.

Deputy Chairman of the Russian Security Council Dmitry Medvedev warned that Moscow would consider any British move to deploy military forces to Ukraine as a declaration of war against Russia.

Source: https://dantri.com.vn/the-gioi/ukraine-tuyen-bo-bao-ve-anh-trong-24-gio-neu-bi-nga-tan-cong-20240114165129682.htm