• DEFENSE Spain to lead NATO battalion in Slovakia
  • NATO ENLARGEMENT agrees to "invite" Ukraine to join, but only "when conditions are met"
  • INTERVIEW Javier Solana: "We must help Ukraine but we can no longer accept it in NATO"

The Governmentof Spain and seven other European partners have announced in Vilnius that they join the G7 declaration that on Wednesday has offered something similar to security guarantees to Ukraine until the country can formally join NATO. "We reaffirm our unwavering commitment to the strategic goal of a free, independent, democratic and sovereign Ukraine, within its internationally recognized borders, capable of defending itself and deterring future aggression. We affirm, equally, that the security of Ukraine is an integral part of the security of the Euro-Atlantic region," the statement said.

"The G7 has announced the imminent start of talks to define commitments and security arrangements in the medium and long term and give Ukraine a security that we are already providing all allies. It is about having the support of its signatories to develop its armed forces, to develop its legitimate defense and deterrence against Russia. Spain has decided to join this declaration of the G7", announced President Pedro Sánchez at the end of the meeting.

The debate on these "guarantees" has been open for months within the Atlantic Alliance, the European Union and the main international forums. President Volodymyr Zelensky has called for it actively and passively. "Security assurances" are understood under Article 5 of the Washington Treaty, or perhaps Article 4, which refers to collective defense and what one state automatically does when another is attacked. And that, they reiterate, is impossible right now. Statements of support, commitments of permanent aid, "security arrangements" in the words of a diplomatic source can be offered. Something similar to what was offered to Sweden or Finland when they asked for membership, but much more articulated. That is: that friendly countries promise to maintain military aid, the shipment of weapons or ammunition, share intelligence as long as necessary. For the tranquility of the attacked or as a warning to Moscow, which has always hoped that the passage of time would break Western unity.

Sources of the Spanish Government explain that our country has decided to join together with the Netherlands, Portugal, Czech Republic, Iceland, Denmark, Poland and Norway. The document, in reality, does not specify anything yet, but opens the doors of a negotiation to define the exact terms. It is not what Zelensky asked for, it is not what he dreamed of, but it is more than the Alliance as a bloc could afford. "I understand that they don't want to get involved in a world war, it's logical and understandable," the Ukrainian said Wednesday during his speech to the media alongside NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg. "A formal invitation would have been optimal, but the result of the summit is good," he acknowledged after the harsh public reproach that on the eve launched his main partners, trying to scratch as much as possible.

Wednesday's statement said that "today negotiations begin with Ukraine to formalize, through bilateral security agreements and commitments aligned with this multilateral framework, in accordance with our respective legal and constitutional requirements, our lasting support to Ukraine as it defends its sovereignty and territorial integrity, rebuilds its economy, protects its citizens and pursues integration into the Euro-Atlantic community (...) Other countries wishing to contribute to this effort to ensure a free, strong, independent and sovereign Ukraine can join this Joint Declaration at any time."

It is a very measured and careful paragraph, which emphasizes that there are constitutional limits or legal requirements before anything specific can be closed. That diplomatic work will begin immediately and will be, they all insist, bilateral. Each one, the G7 and the additional eight, will offer what it wants or can, choosing its red lines.

But the overarching long-term goal is defined: "To ensure a sustainable force capable of defending Ukraine now and deterring Russian aggression in the future through the continued provision of modern military equipment in the land, air and sea domains, prioritizing air defense, artillery and long-range fires, armored vehicles and other key capabilities, such as combat air, and promoting greater interoperability with Euro-Atlantic partners. They also provide "support to further develop Ukraine's defense industrial base, training and training exercises for Ukrainian forces and intelligence sharing and cooperation, as well as support for cyberdefense, security and resilience initiatives, including to deal with hybrid threats."

The message from the three continents, Europe, America and Asia is that time is not Russia's best ally. In the final declaration adopted on Tuesday during the celebration of the 74th NATO summit, the explicit reference to these "guarantees" or "commitments" disappeared, even when they were treated bilaterally due to general reluctance.

RESPONSE IN CASE OF ATTACKS

"In the event of a future Russian armed attack, we intend to immediately consult with Ukraine to determine appropriate next steps. We intend, in accordance with our respective legal and constitutional requirements, to provide Ukraine with rapid and sustained security assistance, modern military equipment and economic assistance, to impose economic and other costs on Russia, and to consult with Ukraine on its needs while exercising its right to self-defense enshrined in Article 51 of the UN Charter. To this end, we will work with Ukraine on an enhanced package of commitments and security arrangements in case of future aggression to enable Ukraine to defend its territory and sovereignty," states the statement signed by Joe Biden, Justin Trudeau, Emmanuel Macron, Olaf Scholz, Giorgia Meloni, Fumio Kishida and Rishi Shunak.

"We reaffirm that, in accordance with our respective legal systems, Russia's sovereign assets in our jurisdictions will remain frozen until Russia pays for the damage it has caused to Ukraine. We recognize the need to establish an international mechanism for the reparation of damage, loss or injury caused by Russian aggression and express our readiness to explore options for the development of appropriate mechanisms," the world leaders added.

This process not only seeks to show punctual solidarity with the attacked country, but is also part of a larger effort to pave its way to NATO and the EU, as it entails a series of obligations on the part of Kiev as well. Reforms, changes and adjustments that will allow a reasonably rapid path to accession, despite the ravages of the war, to be taken later. Militarily it is simpler and Zelenski himself constantly repeats that in a certain way they are already part of the Alliance, because they use their information, their intelligence, their training, their weapons and are reinforcing the interoperability of the forces every day. But the political, legal and economic part is another matter.

In the absence of concrete action in the coming weeks or months, Ukraine pledges to "contribute positively to the security of partners and strengthen transparency and accountability measures with regard to assistance," to prevent the corruption that has plagued the country for decades from undermining common efforts. To this end, Kiev promises that it will continue "with the implementation of law enforcement, judicial, anti-corruption, corporate governance, economic, security sector and state management reforms that highlight its commitment to democracy, the rule of law, respect for human rights and freedom of the press, and put its economy on a sustainable path."

At the defense level, the requirements are that reforms continue for "strengthening democratic civilian control of the armed forces and improving efficiency and transparency in Ukraine's defense institutions and industry."

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