Ukraine signs security deals with Italy and Canada

24 February, 2024 Soldiers of the 406th Artillery Brigade fire with an M777 howitzer. Photo credits: 406th Artillery Brigade On Saturday, February 24, Ukraine signed 10-year security deals with Italy and Canada.

The Office of the President of Ukraine reported on this. The bilateral agreements were signed as part of the visit of Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni to Ukraine on the occasion of the second anniversary of Russia's full-scale invasion. On Saturday, February 24, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyi and Prime Minister of Italy Giorgia Meloni signed an agreement on security cooperation between Ukraine and Italy in Kyiv.

According to President Zelenskyi, this document lays a solid foundation for a long-term security partnership between Ukraine and Italy.

Ukraine and Italy sign an agreement on security cooperation. February 24, 2024. Photo credits: Office of the President of Ukraine

The agreement specifies the concrete amounts of financial support and military packages provided to Ukraine by Italy since the beginning of the full-scale Russian aggression, with the commitment of the Italian Republic to continue providing such assistance throughout ten years of the agreement's validity.

Moreover, the document confirms Italy's support for Ukraine's future NATO membership. Volodymyr Zelenskyi and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau also signed the Security Cooperation Agreement between Ukraine and Canada today. The agreement establishes a Canadian-Ukrainian strategic security partnership, identifying areas for enhancing bilateral cooperation in various fields, including defense, stability, and resilience.

Ukraine and Canada signed the Security Cooperation Agreement.

February 24, 2024. Photo credits: Office of the President of Ukraine

The document is valid for ten years from the date of its signing and provides for the possibility of review by the partners if Ukraine joins NATO before the end of its term. In addition, the document provides for Canada's allocation of over CAD 3 billion in macro-financial and defense assistance to Ukraine in 2024.

At the meeting, Volodymyr Zelenskyi and Justin Trudeau also discussed the provision of new missile defense systems, production, and transfer of armored vehicles within a multi-year assistance program to Ukraine for protecting Ukrainian soldiers and their medical evacuation.

The President thanked Canada for its contribution to providing Ukrainian defense forces with drones, armored vehicles, ammunition, and assistance in infrastructure development for F-16 fighter jets.