Ukraine: realities | «The Weekly Five»: 12.12 – 17.12

Ukraine has concluded a security agreement with Britain

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak signed the security pact, which will remain in effect until Ukraine joins NATO. The document, titled "Agreement on Cooperation in the Field of Security between Ukraine and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland," was signed by the leaders of the two countries following negotiations at the Mariinsky Palace in Kyiv on January 12.

This agreement marks the first in the realm of security pacts to implement the agreements reached during the NATO Summit in Vilnius between Ukraine, members of the "Group of Seven," and the states that joined them. The security commitments of the United Kingdom under this document will be in effect until Ukraine accedes to NATO, as announced by President Volodymyr Zelensky after the signing.

Additionally, during his visit to Kyiv, British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak announced a significant military aid package for Ukraine amounting to £2.5 billion.

Volodymyr Zelensky will participate in the World Economic Forum in Davos

The organizers of the World Economic Forum in Davos have announced President Volodymyr Zelensky's personal participation in one of the events on January 16. It is noted that Zelensky will personally deliver a special speech on the panel titled "Achieving Security and Cooperation in a Fragmented World."

Joining him on the panel will be the Executive Director of the World Economic Forum, Klaus Schwab, and the President of the WEF, Børge Brende.

In the evening of January 16 in Davos, the opening of the project of the Pinchuk Foundation, "Deciding Your Tomorrow," will also take place, with the participation of top officials, including the President of Poland, Andrzej Duda. The participation of Volodymyr Zelensky in this event is not ruled out.

 

Polish Prime Minister: I won't allow anyone in the government to build a position on anti-Ukrainian sentiments

Prime Minister of Poland, Donald Tusk, stated that he will not allow representatives of his government to build their positions on anti-Ukrainian sentiments, as there can be no doubts about the necessity of supporting Ukraine during the war.

"I will never allow anyone in my government to want to build their position on any anti-Ukrainian sentiments. Because when it comes to war and our support, as well as that of the entire Western world, for Ukraine in its confrontation with Russia, there can be no doubts," Tusk said.

The Prime Minister of Poland emphasized that every Polish patriot must absolutely recognize these arguments, and Ukraine, in its war with Russia, needs both the assistance of Warsaw and the entire free world.

“And this is not a slogan. Because, in reality, as long as Ukraine is at war with Russia, we are relatively safe,” Tusk emphasized.

 

During the "Ukraine-NATO" Council meeting Ukraine was promised weapons worth billions of euros this year

During the "Ukraine-NATO" Council meeting on January 10, allies pledged further assistance to Kyiv and reminded of plans to strengthen the country's air defense in 2024. This includes joint procurement of anti-aircraft missiles for the Patriot system, as well as the acquisition of Skynex systems from Germany and anti-aircraft missiles from the United Kingdom.

During the meeting, Alliance members "strongly condemned" the escalation of Russian airstrikes on Ukraine, as well as Russia's use of ballistic missiles from North Korea and drones from Iran, as stated in the press release.

"Today, Alliance members explicitly stated that they will continue to provide Ukraine with significant military, economic, and humanitarian assistance, with many members outlining plans to offer additional capabilities worth billions of euros in 2024," NATO reported.

 

The Pentagon has not found credible evidence of the misappropriation of American weapons in Ukraine

The U.S. Department of Defense commented on the report of the Inspector General regarding issues with the accountability of military aid to Ukraine, stating that there is currently no credible evidence of American weapons ending up in the wrong hands.

"As of today, there is no credible evidence of the transfer of advanced conventional weapons that the U.S. has provided to Ukraine falling into the wrong hands," said Pentagon spokesperson Patrick Ryder.

On the contrary, a representative of the U.S. Department of Defense added, “We see Russia constantly trying to spread disinformation about the opposite”.

“But the fact is that we have observed Ukrainians using these capabilities on the battlefield. We see that they are using them effectively,” Ryder added.

 

The project «Ukraine: realities» is implemented by the News agency «Konkurent» together with the Civic Movement «SVIDOMI» in English for readers from other countries to tell the stories of people who survived the horrors of the Russian occupation.

Проєкт «Ukraine: realities» реалізовується Інформаційним агентством «Конкурент» спільно з Громадянським Рухом «СВІДОМІ» на англійській мові для читачів з інших країн аби розповісти історії людей, які пережили жахи російської окупації.