Zelenskyy Submits Draft Law for Ratification of 100-Year UK-Ukraine Agreement

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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has formally submitted a draft law to the Verkhovna Rada (Ukraine’s parliament) seeking ratification of a long-term bilateral agreement with the United Kingdom. The proposed agreement, described as a 100-year partnership, builds on the existing security cooperation signed between the two nations earlier this year.

According to a statement published on the official website of the Verkhovna Rada on 2 August, the proposed treaty outlines comprehensive cooperation across several key areas. These include defence and security, maritime affairs, the economy, energy, justice (including international legal matters), and efforts to counter disinformation.

The foundational agreement, initially signed on 12 January 2024, had already marked a significant step forward in UK-Ukraine relations. With the current draft law, Zelenskyy is pushing for that partnership to be extended significantly – from an initial 10-year framework to a century-long accord.

The agreement appears to reflect Ukraine’s long-term strategic intent to anchor itself more firmly to Western allies amid ongoing hostilities with Russia. The United Kingdom has been one of Kyiv’s more vocal and consistent supporters since the onset of the full-scale Russian invasion in 2022, with aid packages, military training, and defensive equipment forming the core of its assistance.

While the Ukrainian government is moving ahead with formal ratification, the broader implications for Britain have not been fully scrutinised in public debate. Given the scale and timespan of the proposed treaty, questions remain over future costs, commitments, and long-term strategic alignment – particularly under the current Labour-led government, whose position on Ukraine has yet to be tested over such an extended horizon.

No official comment has been issued from Downing Street regarding the ratification process on the UK’s end. It remains unclear whether the British Parliament will be required to revisit or reassess its commitments under the expanded timeframe.

The draft’s submission signals Ukraine’s intent to secure a lasting alliance beyond the immediate geopolitical crisis. It also presents a long-term diplomatic and security undertaking for the UK – one that may require consistent political will over successive governments.

The final ratification process within Ukraine is now expected to proceed through the Rada’s legislative channels. If passed, it will formalise what is being framed in Kyiv as a historic and enduring partnership between the two countries.