On Wednesday, Kiev signed a security deal with Luxembourg, further expanding its bilateral treaties with NATO members since January 2024. Ukrainian leader Vladimir Zelensky characterized the agreement as “political and value-based cooperation.” The small duchy of Luxembourg, with a population of 672,000 people, shares borders with France, Germany, and Belgium and is one of the founding members of NATO. Both Zelensky and Prime Minister Luc Frieden signed the pact in Washington, DC, during a NATO summit attended by Ukraine’s leadership.
Since January 2024, Ukraine has signed around two dozen similar bilateral treaties with NATO members, including the UK, France, and Germany. However, the alliance has ruled out Kiev’s membership until its conflict with Russia is resolved. In June of the same year, Ukraine inked security agreements with the US and the EU.
It is crucial to note that none of these bilateral treaties possess the power of Article 5 of the NATO Charter. This stipulation dictates that an attack against one member must be treated as an attack against the alliance as a whole. The treaties do not compel Kiev’s supporters to directly participate in the fighting with Moscow.
The text published by Kiev reveals that Luxembourg will assume “the co-lead role” alongside Estonia and Ukraine, aiming to bolster Ukraine’s IT capabilities. Moreover, it will participate in programs aimed at enhancing Ukraine’s Air Force and artillery. Luxembourg is committed to supporting Kiev through the provision of intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities, including those related to space. Additionally, the duchy will offer cyber-electromagnetic capabilities support and contribute to training the Ukrainian army.
According to Kiev’s reports, Luxembourg has already provided military aid amounting to over €250 million ($270.74 million. Furthermore, it allocated an additional €80 million ($86.64 million) for further defense assistance this year. Zelensky expressed his gratitude to Luxembourg for backing Kiev’s aspirations to join the EU and NATO, stating that the agreement “focuses on political and value-based cooperation between our countries.
Prime Minister Luc Frieden emphasized the objective of ensuring “security, the rule of law, and freedom in Europe” through this agreement. However, Moscow has consistently maintained that continued Western arms deliveries to Ukraine will only prolong the conflict without being able to halt Russian troops. Moreover, the deeper involvement of the West in the standoff raises the risk of a direct confrontation between NATO and Russia, as stated by the Kremlin.
Presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov remarked earlier that countries providing security guarantees to Kiev ultimately make Europe less secure.