Ukraine signed a security agreement with Croatia
9 October, 2024 President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky and Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic during the signing of a security agreement. October 09, 2024, Croatia. Photo credits: Office of the President of Ukraine
The Ukrainian president and the Croatian Prime Minister signed an agreement in which Croatia pledges to support Ukraine's security for ten years. This is stated in the text of the agreement signed in Croatia by Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic and Volodymyr Zelensky. The document is titled "Agreement on Long-Term Cooperation and Support between Ukraine and the Republic of Croatia."
Its structure is similar to that of Ukraine's security agreements with a number of partners. The duration of the agreement, ten years from the date of signing, is also common. The text states that Croatia will continue to provide Ukraine with long-term political, security, and financial assistance, and Ukraine promises to continue reforms and ensure the rule of law.
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky and Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic during the signing of a security agreement. October 09, 2024, Croatia. Photo credits: Office of the President of Ukraine
Participants will deepen security cooperation within bilateral and multilateral mechanisms through intelligence sharing.
Croatia's commitments also fully reflect the Joint Security Commitments between Ukraine and the European Union signed on June 27, 2024, which Croatia strongly supports. Participants will cooperate with each other and international partners to ensure Ukraine's ability and resilience to defend and deter any possible future aggression. Croatia will continue to provide military assistance based on 11 military aid packages already approved since the beginning of Russia's aggression.
Recognizing the importance and urgency of continued military assistance to Ukraine, Croatia will explore opportunities for further assistance, including through coalitions. To improve defense readiness, participants will encourage cooperation between their defense industries. "Participants will identify prospects for joint defense production, including opportunities for joint projects with localization in Ukraine," the text says.
Participants will explore opportunities to strengthen bilateral cooperation in the field of digital resilience and cybersecurity to help Ukraine detect and counteract malicious cyber activity from Russia. The participants will cooperate in countering foreign information manipulation and interference, including Russian.
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky and Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic during the signing of a security agreement. October 09, 2024, Croatia.
Photo credits: Office of the President of Ukraine
Participants will continue to work to ensure that the costs of Russia's aggression continue to rise, including through sanctions and export controls.
Croatia will continue to support Ukraine through NATO's long-term security assistance commitment to Ukraine.