G-7 nations to sign long-term security pact for Ukraine: UK premier

By Mehmet Solmaz

BIRMINGHAM, England (AA) - An international framework for Ukraine’s long-term security arrangements is expected to be agreed by the Group of Seven (G-7) countries in the margins of the NATO Summit on Wednesday.

In a statement released by British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s office, it was said the G-7 members will sign a joint declaration, which will set out “how allies will support Ukraine over the coming years to end the war and deter and respond to any future attack.”

It is the first time that this many countries have agreed a comprehensive long-term security arrangement of this kind with another country, the statement said.

“Joint Declaration signatories will provide long-term, bilateral security commitments for Ukraine, with the aim of building a Ukraine that can defend its territorial sovereignty both today and in the future,” it added.

The UK is vocal about its “strong support” for Ukraine and it was the first G-7 country to provide Ukraine with main battle tanks and long-range missiles, the statement said, adding: “We have also been instrumental in establishing the new international coalition to provide Ukraine with combat air capability.”

“We can never see a repeat of what has happened in Ukraine and this declaration reaffirms our commitment to ensure it is never left vulnerable to the kind of brutality Russia has inflicted on it again,” Sunak said.

In the past six months, the statement said, the UK has also expanded its military training program for Ukrainian recruits. This program has trained more than 19,000 soldiers to date and training for Ukrainian pilots in the UK will begin in the summer, it added.

“Following today’s Joint Declaration, partners will provide more defense equipment, increase and accelerate intelligence sharing, bolster support for cyber and hybrid threat defenses, expand training programs and military exercises, and develop Ukraine’s industrial base. Signatories will set out the detail of their long-term commitments to Ukraine under the framework announced today in due course,” the statement said.