Diplomat draws attention to inaccuracies in the agreement on 100-year partnership between Ukraine and the UK

Ukrainian diplomat and former Ambassador of Ukraine to the United States Valeriy Chaly drew attention to inaccuracies in the bilateral document on deepening the partnership between Ukraine and the United Kingdom. The diplomat commented on the text of the agreement and pointed out its shortcomings.

Valeriy Chaly noted that Ukraine and the United Kingdom have strategic goals and opportunities to reach an allied level of cooperation. He cited the article “If one of the Participants is attacked in violation of the UN Charter and the fundamental principles of international law, both Participants will hold consultations within 24 hours to determine the measures necessary to counter or deter the aggression. Each Member, acting in accordance with its legal requirements, will provide each other with rapid and sustained security assistance, modern military equipment, if necessary, and economic assistance,” and adds that this is certainly not Article 5 of the NATO Washington Treaty, but it is still a significant step towards strengthening security.

Підписуйтеcь на наш Telegram-канал Lenta.UA - ЄДИНІ незалежні новини про події в Україні та світі

At the same time, he noted that this is not mentioned in the bilateral agreement, which is a framework agreement, but will undergo domestic procedures and be registered with the UN (according to Article 102 of the Charter).

“And the name of the document is almost exactly the same... It is not an agreement, but a Declaration on the Centenary Partnership between Ukraine and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland,” Chaly wrote, explaining that this format reduces the legal weight of the agreements, leaving them at the level of political statements.

The diplomat also commented on the choice of the name “historic partnership” because it can be terminated in six months. Chaly noted that instead, it would be more appropriate to establish an open-ended alliance agreement on defense and mutual assistance, which would provide for military support in the event of aggression against one of the parties. Such a document could significantly enhance the security of Ukraine and, in the long run, the UK.

“It would be better not to have a century-long (why not 50 or 200 years?), but a perpetual allied agreement on defense and security and mutual assistance by the armed forces in the event of an attack on one of the parties. It is such an agreement and its implementation that could help Ukraine now, and after a while - the UK,” the diplomat wrote.

It is worth noting that President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer signed a historic agreement on a 100-year partnership to deepen security ties and strengthen partnership.

As part of the agreement, the UK will expand the training program for the Ukrainian military and develop cooperation in the field of long-range weapons and weapons development. Other points include strengthening economic and trade cooperation, as well as in the fields of energy, justice, science, etc.

photo: president.gov.ua