UPDATE - G-7 countries sign joint declaration in support of Ukraine at NATO summit

ADDS DETAILS OF DECLARATION

By Beyza Binnur Donmez

VILNIUS, Lithuania (AA) – The Group of Seven countries on Wednesday announced the signing of a joint declaration in support of Ukraine in Lithuania's capital Vilnius, where NATO holds a two-day summit.

The treaty, which was signed by the UK, US, Japan, Canada, France, Germany and Italy, involves promises to act multilaterally and on a country-to-country basis to offer Ukraine long-term security guarantees.

Speaking at the announcement of the declaration, US President Joe Biden said that the Ukraine declaration will "make clear that our support will last long into the future" and create a path to NATO membership for Ukraine.

"This starts a process by which each of our nations and any other nation who wishes to participate will negotiate long-term bilateral security commitments with and to Ukraine," he said.

"It will be a force of stability in the region and deter against any and all threats," Biden added.

Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy welcomed the declaration and said the outcome of the Vilnius summit was "very much needed."

It opens new security opportunities to Ukraine, he said.

- Joint declaration of support for Ukraine

In the joint declaration, the countries reaffirmed their "unwavering commitment to the strategic objective of a free, independent, democratic, and sovereign Ukraine, within its internationally recognized borders, capable of defending itself and deterring future aggression."

They also underscored that "the security of Ukraine is integral to the security of the Euro-Atlantic region."

The G-7 will stand with Ukraine as it defends itself against Russian aggression "for as long as it takes," the member states said.

According to the declaration, the each member country voiced commitment to work with Ukraine on specific, bilateral, long-term security commitments and arrangements to ensure Ukraine's military capability, strengthen its economic stability and resilience, provide technical and financial support for its immediate needs.

For its part, Ukraine is committed to contributing positively to partner security and to strengthen transparency and accountability measures with regard to partner assistance, it said.

"This effort will be taken forward while Ukraine pursues a pathway toward future membership in the Euro-Atlantic community," the declaration stated.

It added that other countries that wish to contribute to this effort "to ensure a free, strong, independent, and sovereign Ukraine" may join the joint declaration at any time.