By Kontur and AFP | 2024-02-20

MUNICH -- A lack of long-range missiles and artillery shells is limiting Ukraine's fightback against Russia, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy told defense chiefs at the Munich Security Conference, making a fresh appeal for more weapons.

Zelenskyy's call February 17 at the gathering of 180 leaders and defense chiefs comes at a critical juncture. With the war about to enter its third year, Ukraine is under mounting pressure over the ammunition shortfall.

As a stopgap solution, Ukraine February 16 signed bilateral security agreements with Germany and France. The two new pacts follow a similar deal with the United Kingdom in January.

Zelenskyy described the agreements as "truly unprecedented."

All three agreements deal with both current military support for Ukraine and its future defense against Russia.

Britain was first to make good on a commitment made by G7 countries on the fringes of a NATO summit in Vilnius last year to sign bilateral security agreements with Ukraine.

The text of the accord covers everything from the supply of weapons to the training of troops, strengthening of cybersecurity, and the domestic defense industry.

The German agreement covers much the same ground as the British deal, including a mechanism to be triggered in case of another future Russian attack on Ukraine.

In that case, Kyiv, Berlin and other capitals would enter into consultations within 24 hours of the attack being launched.

Germany will "not let up" in supporting Ukraine, said German Chancellor Olaf Scholz. He also announced a new €1.1 billion package of immediate military support.

The agreement with France includes a pledge for up to €3 billion in aid for 2024, after €2.1 billion in 2023 and €1.7 billion in 2022, officials said.

They said the pact would run for 10 years and would notably strengthen cooperation in the area of artillery.

The deal aims to help Ukraine with the "re-establishment of its territorial integrity within its internationally-recognied borders" and forestall "any renewed Russian aggression," they said.

The deal is also to help pave the way towards Ukraine's future integration into the European Union and NATO, the officials said.

"France affirms that a future Ukrainian membership would constitute a useful contribution to peace and stability in Europe," they said, quoting from the agreement.

In all, 25 other countries, going well beyond the G7, have said they will sign such agreements. G7 members Italy and Japan are said to be close, while agreements with Sweden and Norway are also moving forward.

The accords can send an important message, said Ivan Klyszcz from the International Centre for Defence and Security in Estonia.

"To Ukraine, it signals commitment. To Russia, it signals resolve to Ukraine's survival, especially beyond electoral cycles," he said.