Zelensky says Paris Declaration first step toward real security guarantees

President Volodymyr Zelensky, ahead of talks with UK Secretary of State for Defence John Healey, who arrived in Kyiv, said that the declaration signed in Paris is the first step toward obtaining real security guarantees from Europe.

This was reported by an Ukrinform correspondent.

“I believe that the Paris Declaration has become a step forward toward securing genuine security guarantees from Europe,” Zelensky said.

He also thanked the United Kingdom for its consistent support during the period of Russia’s full-scale war against Ukraine.

“We are deeply grateful to your country for its significant financial support, military aid packages, and real engagement in the sanctions policy against Russian aggression, which is extremely important for us,” Zelensky noted, adding that Ukraine and the United Kingdom have opened a new chapter in their relations following the signing of the One Hundred Year Partnership Agreement.

Separately, the Ukrainian President expressed gratitude to the UK government for strengthening Ukraine’s air defense.

“Your decision regarding air defense is extremely important, especially after such a large-scale strike last night. I believe you are aware of all the details of this brutal attack, which took place against the backdrop of discussions about future peace negotiations, all these deliberations and decisions regarding security guarantees, as well as meetings with European partners and American delegation in Europe. Despite this, the Russian Federation continues to carry out numerous attacks against our civilian and energy infrastructure,” Zelensky emphasized ahead of the meeting with the UK Defense Secretary.

As reported by Ukrinform, on January 6, following a meeting of the Coalition of the Willing in Paris, the Presidents of Ukraine and France, Volodymyr Zelensky and Emmanuel Macron, along with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, signed a Declaration of Intent on the deployment of multinational forces.

Yesterday, January 8, UK Minister for the Armed Forces Al Carns said that Britain had transferred to Ukraine 13 Raven air defense units and two prototypes of the new Gravehawk system.