Ukraine and Belgium sign a ten-year security agreement

28 May, 2024 Volodymyr Zelensky and Alexander De Croo during the signing of the agreement between Ukraine and Belgium. May 28, 2024. Photo credits: Office of the President of Ukraine

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky and Belgian Prime Minister Alexander de Croo sign a bilateral security agreement between the two countries. The ceremony took place on Tuesday, May 28, during the President's visit to Brussels. Like other recently signed bilateral agreements, the document is valid for ten years from its signing date.

In particular, the agreement stipulates that Belgium will provide military assistance to Ukraine in the amount of at least EUR977 million this year and that Brussels will commit to supporting Kyiv during the agreement's term. Belgium will also continue its efforts to improve the capabilities of the Ukrainian Defense Forces to defend against Russian aggression today, to deter further aggression in the future, and to enhance the compatibility of Ukrainian forces and equipment with NATO standards. Belgian assistance will cover both short-term military needs and long-term capacity building for the future Ukrainian Defense Forces.

In addition, Belgium will support efforts to provide the Ukrainian Air Force with F-16 fighter jets, ammunition, pilot and maintenance training, long-term maintenance of the fighters, and the creation of appropriate conditions for their operation in Ukraine. For the first time, such a security agreement specifies the exact number of combat aircraft to be provided by Belgium to Ukraine: 30 F-16 fighter jets by 2028. The first aircraft are to be delivered this year.

F-16AM fighter jet from the 1st Squadron of the Air Component of the Belgian Armed Forces.

Photo from the open sources

Separate sections of the document are devoted to bilateral cooperation in the defense industry. The document states that Ukraine and Belgium will implement joint projects aimed at increasing the capacity and production of the Ukrainian defense industry. Cooperation will include potential technology transfer, partnerships, joint ventures, and investments.

Ukraine and Belgium will also deepen cooperation in intelligence, cybersecurity, and countering disinformation.