In early January, Ukraine and the United Kingdom signed a security agreement that opened the way for deeper defense ties with the embattled nation. 

The security agreement between London and Kyiv will provide the Ukrainian military and defense industry with weapons, munitions, and other assistance for years.

Security Agreement between the UK and Ukraine 

According to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, the bilateral security agreement includes direct annual support for a period of ten years, and it will include financing, intelligence sharing, defense sector support, cybersecurity support, and, most importantly, weapons. 

“This day has already entered the history of our state. [We] have an agreement with the U.K., a security agreement that we have been working on for a long time. It is the first bilateral agreement implementing the G7 basic understanding of security commitments for Ukraine—our defense, our security growth,” the Ukrainian leader said. 

In addition, it will include sanctions against Russian officials and assets. Before the war, London was a hub for Russian oligarchs, who lived and did business in the British capital. 

“It is indeed a very serious and modern agreement. Many have heard about exemplary security agreements of the 20th century between the United States and Israel and some other similar agreements. Now, we have shaped such a model for our time—something that gives us confidence now, while we defend ourselves from Russian aggression,” Zelensky added. 

Zelensky revealed that he is working with other governments as well to secure additional security agreements. 

Ukraine in NATO?

The Ukrainian President also mentioned the possibility of his country joining NATO. It is a goal he has repeatedly expressed. During his speech, Zelensky suggested that the British-Ukrainian agreement would serve as an important guarantee until Kyiv could join the transatlantic alliance. 

However, despite the wishes of the Ukrainian leader, a Ukraine NATO membership seems a distant prospect.

Given the transatlantic alliance’s Article 5—also known as the “Mutual Defense” clause, which requires all member states to come to the aid of a member under attack—a Ukrainian membership would risk bringing the U.S. and NATO into a conflict with Russia. If Ukraine found a way to end the conflict with Russia for good, then there might be a chance of joining NATO, but it would still be a close call. 

Western Military Aid 

Ukraine needs the West.

Ukrainian courage and grit might have been essential components of the country’s defense against Russian aggression, but Western weapon systems and munitions have played an equally important role.

The tens of billions of dollars of Western security aid have enabled the Ukrainian military to first stop the advancing Russians and then push them back, liberating hundreds of square miles of territory. To continue forward and secure overall victory, Ukraine depends on the West. The U.K. made a move in the right direction, leading the way for other NATO nations. 

“We must win this battle, and I thank everyone in America who helps us preserve freedom,” the Ukrainian leader added. 

The war in Ukraine will go on for months if not years. Kyiv can use every assistance it can get.