Ukraine's President Zelenskyy hails G7 declaration a 'significant security victory' for Ukraine
The leader of Nato has described Ukraine as 'closer to Nato than ever before'
Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said he was leaving the Nato summit with a "significant security victory" after a G7 leaders declaration of long-term security guarantees.
Mr Zelenskyy praised the new package of measures, which came alongside a promise from the G7 leaders to stand by Ukraine for "as long as it takes".
The announcement came after the Prime Minister Rishi Sunak assured Ukraine's leader that "real progress" had been made on the security guarantees, and said he belonged in Nato.
During the summit in Vilnius, Mr Zelenskyy voiced his frustration at the reluctance of Nato's 31 member states to agree a timetable for Ukraine to be admitted into the international defensive alliance.
The leaders of the wealthiest economies, which includes the UK, US, Japan, Canada, France, Germany and Italy, jointly penned the security accord at the summit on Wednesday, which Mr Sunak said marks a "new high point" in international support for the war-torn country.
He thinks it will send a message to Russian President Vladimir Putin and has the potential to bring an end to the conflict in eastern Europe.
The US President Joe Biden said the pact amounted to a "powerful statement" of support for Kyiv which would "last long into the future".
The pact contains promises to act multilaterally and on a country-to-country basis to offer Ukraine long-term security guarantees. The UK's side of the bargain will see more Ukrainian pilots trained in Britain.
In a joint declaration signed by G7 leaders, they said: "We will stand with Ukraine as it defends itself against Russian aggression, for as long as it takes.
"We stand united in our enduring support for Ukraine, rooted in our shared democratic values and interests, above all, respect for the UN Charter and the principles of territorial integrity and sovereignty."
The group said the mission was to "ensure a sustainable force capable of defending Ukraine now and deterring Russian aggression in the future".
But in a potential message to President Zelenskyy, the Defence Secretary Ben Wallace said allies providing support to Kyiv also want "gratitude".
Speaking to reporters in Vilnius, he appeared to suggest Mr Zelenskyy needed to be mindful about keeping "doubting politicians" in the US on-side.
He said the US and the UK have told Ukraine that "we're not Amazon", a reference to the online retail giant, after being handed requests for new weapons.
"There is a slight word of caution here which is that, whether we like it or not, people want to see gratitude," Mr Wallace said.
"My counsel to the Ukrainians... you're persuading countries to give up their own stocks.
"And yes the war is a noble war and yes we see it as you doing a war for not just yourself but our freedoms.
"But sometimes you've got to persuade lawmakers on the Hill in America.
"You've got to persuade doubting politicians in other countries that it's worth it and it's worthwhile and they're getting something for it.
"Whether you like that or not, that is just the reality of it."
Greeting Mr Zelenskyy in the Lithuanian capital ahead of the declaration on Wednesday, Mr Sunak said the Ukraine leader belonged in Nato.
Mr Zelenskyy said he was keen to advance talks on security guarantees for his people, with Mr Sunak assuring him that "real progress" had been made in that regard.
The British premier has consistently stated that he sees Ukraine's place as being in Nato but its pathway to entry has proved a sticking point among allies in Vilnius.
In a speech at the summit on Tuesday, Mr Zelenskyy said the delay by allies in approving Nato membership was providing Russia and its occupying forces with the “motivation to continue its terror”.
Addressing a square full of supporters in Vilnius, Mr Zelenskyy said: “Nato will give Ukraine security. Ukraine will make the alliance stronger.”
Washington and Tel Aviv have a military and technology deal to afford Israel protection in the Middle East but without offering a Nato-esque clause to come to its aid during a time of attack.
In addition to the work on a long-term bilateral security pact, the UK has announced its plans to deliver more than 70 combat and logistics vehicles to Ukraine.
The British Army vehicles will be gifted to Ukraine to boost its counteroffensive operation.
According to No 10 officials, the vehicles will ensure front line forces have the means to carry ammunition and equipment, evacuate injured soldiers and recover damaged vehicles.
Thousands of additional rounds of Challenger 2 ammunition will also be immediately delivered to Ukraine as part of the package.
A £50 million equipment support contract will sustain what the UK has already provided to Ukraine, including spare parts, technical support and maintenance training.
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