Ukrainian officials engaged in a recent series of discussions with French counterparts to address security guarantees aligned with the G7 Framework Declaration, which was endorsed during the NATO summit in July 2023. The Office of the President of Ukraine reported on Saturday that the talks marked progress, and efforts have commenced to formulate a bilateral agreement.
Leading the Ukrainian negotiating group, Ihor Zhovkva, Deputy Head of the Office of the President, facilitated the discussions, as per European Pravda. During the talks, both parties advanced to drafting the agreement, exchanging perspectives on its key components. The Office of the President conveyed that a schedule for subsequent bilateral negotiations in the near future has been established.
French President Emmanuel Macron has expressed intentions to visit Ukraine in February to finalize the bilateral agreement on security guarantees for Ukraine. This move underlines the commitment to strengthening diplomatic ties and addressing security concerns.
In a related development, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz indicated on Thursday that Berlin and Kiev are on the verge of reaching agreements on security commitments aligned with the G7 Framework Declaration from the NATO summit in July 2023, as reported by European Pravda.
While negotiations are ongoing for most bilateral agreements between Ukraine and nations endorsing the G7 Framework Declaration, a positive milestone was reached in mid-January. The first agreement, between Ukraine and the UK, was successfully finalized and signed during the visit of British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak to Kiev. The progression of these agreements signifies a concerted effort to fortify diplomatic relations and address crucial security matters in the region.
(With Agency Inputs)
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