As part of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's surprise visit to Belgium, he and Prime Minister Alexander De Croo signed a security agreement about the delivery of at least €977 million in military aid this year, they announced on Tuesday.
As Belgian Foreign Affairs Minister Hadja Lahbib previously announced, Belgium will supply Ukraine with 30 F-16s. During a press conference on Tuesday morning, De Croo reiterated that promise and pointed to the bilateral security agreement the two countries signed.
"For the first time, such an agreement specifies the exact number of F-16 fighter jets that will be delivered to Ukraine until 2028. "The first batch will arrive this year," said Zelenskyy. Until now, Belgium had always said that the delivery of the fighter planes would depend on the delivery of the first F-35s that it had ordered.
The agreement now states that "Belgium will do everything possible, in consultation with its allies and partners in the F-16 coalition, to accelerate the first delivery – if possible before the end of 2024 – without endangering the safety and operationality of its air capacity and taking into account the delivery of the F-35s."
Today Belgium signs an agreement on security cooperation and long-term support with Ukraine.
President @ZelenskyyUa you need the right tools to protect your citizens. We are very determined when it comes to our support. So we need to more, better and faster. pic.twitter.com/AVmAuTZfRp — Alexander De Croo 🇧🇪🇪🇺 (@alexanderdecroo) May 28, 2024
Importantly, however, the Belgian F-16s must not be used to carry out attacks on Russian targets in Russia, De Croo specified. "The agreement we reached states that the fighter jets can only be used by Ukrainian troops, on Ukrainian territory."
The agreement guarantees Belgium's support in the field of security, explained De Croo: modern armoured vehicles, equipment for the Ukrainian Air Force and air defence, maritime security, mine clearance, participation in the coalition on artillery ammunition, and military training.
"The document also provides for defence industrial cooperation, support for the Ukrainian Peace Formula, strengthening sanctions against Russia, compensation for damages, justice for the aggressor, use of frozen Russian assets and economic recovery," he said.
14th sanctions package
"As part of the Belgian Presidency of the Council of the EU, we are now working to implement the 14th sanctions package. We will work hard to ensure that it is adopted during our Presidency," De Croo said.
There will also be further cooperation in the areas of intelligence, cybersecurity and tackling disinformation. Zelenskyy also underlined that there is Belgian support for Ukrainian membership of the EU and NATO.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Credit: Belga
"European resolve remains steadfast," De Croo added. "The Russian invasion may have turned into a war of attrition, but we will continue to stand by Ukraine's side. The outcome of this war is pivotal for our European interests, values and security. Belgium stands – and will continue to stand – with Ukraine and its people."
During the press conference, Zelenskyy thanked De Croo and Belgium for their support and for "turning over a new leaf" with the agreement. "I am grateful for the continued support. Now, we await the negotiations about Ukraine's European membership in June."
During his visit to Brussels, Zelenskyy will also be received by King Philippe. Then, he will meet the pilots, instructors and technicians of the F-16s at the military airport of Melsbroek, together with Defence Minister Ludivine Dedonder.
