U-24 is an intergovernmental peacekeeping organization proposed by President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy aimed at quickly ending armed conflicts between countries. It was first voiced by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy during his speech to the U.S. Congress on 16 March 2022.[1][2][3][4]
Overview
On 16 March 2022, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, President of Ukraine, gave a speech to the U.S. Congress via video conference. Zelenskyy thanked the American people for the support they were providing to Ukraine in context of the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine; asked for more diplomatic and military help; and initiated the creation of the intergovernment body or association called U-24. U-24 would stand for United for Peace, while 24 means both 24 hours (1 day) and the 24th of February, the date of the Russian invasion of Ukraine.[5]
The idea is that U-24 should provide all necessary assistance, including armed assistance, within a 24-hour response window.[6][7]
In addition, such an association "could provide assistance to those who are experiencing natural disasters, man-made disasters, who have become victims of a humanitarian crisis or an epidemic."[8][9]
Bilateral security agreements
Countries that have signed security agreements with Ukraine:
a bilateral agreement, the country is in both NATO and EU
bilateral, is in NATO only
bilateral, is in EU only
no bilateral, but a part of the EU security agreement with Ukraine
In 2024, Ukraine initialized a series of bilateral security agreements. Each agreement is for 10 years, and is intended to strengthen Ukraine's security until it can reach its aim of becoming a member of NATO.[10] The agreements are based on a pledge made by the Group of Seven (G7) in July 2023, which aims to bolster Ukraine's ability to resist Russian aggression.[11]
The following countries have signed the agreements so far:
^Pravda (Правда) (17 Mar 2022) Zelenskyy explained the essence of the new military alliance U24 from Zelenskyy's night address verbatim: "I addressed the United States and all responsible states with a proposition to create a new U24 union: a new union that will ensure that each aggressor receives a coordinated world response quickly, effectively, and immediately - not in weeks, months, years, but for the first 24 hours after the attack."
"We can no longer trust existing institutions. We cannot expect bureaucrats in international organisations to change fast enough, so we must look for new guarantees, create new tools, and to build alliances with those who have the courage to do what justice demands."
