The European Union is committed to long-term security support of Ukraine, assuring Kiev that it will provide it with more weapons, military training and other assistance for the coming years, according to a draft document cited by Reuters, BTA reports.
The project, which was first reported by the German newspaper "Welt am Sonntag" over the weekend, sets out the EU's security commitments to Ukraine. Officials hope to have the commitment approved in June or July.
In the event of "future aggression", the document says, the EU and Ukraine intend to consult within 24 hours about Kiev's needs and "rapidly determine" next steps in accordance with the commitments made.
The document is part of a wider effort by Ukraine's partners to provide assurances that they will support Kiev in the long term, as there is no end in sight to the war to repel the Russian invasion and no immediate prospect of Kyiv joining the EU or NATO.
EU foreign affairs spokesman Peter Stano said the commitments would "help Ukraine defend itself in the long term, deter acts of aggression and counter destabilization efforts.
The EU plan aims both to calm Ukraine and "give a clear signal to Russia that we will continue to support (Ukraine) - with whatever is necessary,", Stano said.
The 10-page draft - dated April 12 and seen by Reuters - lists nine forms of security and defense assistance the EU will continue to provide, including arms supplies, military training, defense cooperation industry and assistance in demining.
Ambassadors of the 27 EU member states discussed the text in Brussels last month and it is now at the heart of discussions with Ukraine, diplomats say.
Eight of Kiev's allies, including Britain and EU members such as Germany and France, have concluded their own security agreements with Kiev in recent months, Reuters recalls.
Officials stress that these agreements are not the same as the mutual defense pact between NATO countries. Rather, they are commitments to provide Ukraine with weapons and other assistance to strengthen its security and deter future invasion.
The EU draft document says the commitments under it will remain in place "as long as Ukraine follows its European path," and will be reviewed after ten years at the latest.
It does not specify the value or amount of future aid. The details of the proposed measures will have to be agreed by the 27 EU member states, which also provide their own bilateral aid to Ukraine.
The document notes that the EU has agreed to provide 5 billion euros in military aid to Ukraine this year. But it does not make commitments for the same amount in the following years.
"Further comparable annual increase until 2027 can be predicted," the document says.