Zelenskyy Submits Bill to Ratify 100-Year UK-Ukraine Security Partnership

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of Ukraine has submitted draft law No. 0332 to Ukraine's Verkhovna Rada for the ratification of a historic 100-year partnership agreement with the United Kingdom, initially signed in January 2024 by Zelenskyy and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer. This agreement significantly expands the original 10-year security pact and covers comprehensive cooperation in areas such as security and defense, maritime security, intelligence sharing, cybersecurity, military training, and defense-industrial collaboration. It commits the UK to consult with Ukraine if Russia attacks again and to provide rapid and sustained military assistance, including annual military aid and the expansion of training programs for Ukrainian forces, particularly in long-range weaponry and joint arms production. Beyond military support, the partnership also includes enhanced cooperation in education, science and technology, energy, critical mineral extraction, and countering disinformation, aiming to foster stronger cultural, economic, and scientific ties. British officials highlight the agreement as a vital step toward securing Ukraine’s long-term security and development, with initiatives such as a British verification system for tracking illegally exported grain from occupied territories and collaboration on green steel production. Zelenskyy described the agreement as elevating Ukraine-UK relations to a level beyond strategic partnership, ensuring a durable alliance for generations to come.