On June 13, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy and US President Joe Biden signed a 10-year bilateral security agreement aimed at strengthening Ukraine’s defense against Russian aggression.
The agreement was signed on the sidelines of the G7 summit in Italy, Suspilne reports.
“By this document, the United States assumes long-term security commitments aimed at supporting Ukraine’s efforts to win the war and deter possible Russian military aggression in the future”, — the Presidential Office said in a statement.
In the event of an armed attack or threat of such an attack on Ukraine, the highest officials of the United States and Ukraine will meet within 24 hours to consult on a response and determine what additional defense needs Ukraine needs, the agreement says.
The Washington Post noted that the agreement has not been ratified by the U.S. Congress, so any future U.S. president could withdraw from it if he or she so desired. In addition, the document does not commit Ukraine to joining NATO.
The security agreement does not oblige Washington to provide troops to defend Ukraine in the event of an attack, unlike NATO’s promises of mutual defense “one for all and all for one”.
The publication notes that according to polls, Donald Trump is leading in the upcoming November US elections and may withdraw from the agreement.
In accordance with Article 102 of the UN Charter, Ukraine and the United States intend to register this Agreement with the United Nations within 60 days of its entry into force.
What does the agreement mean for Ukraine?
According to the agreement, the United States will support Ukraine in developing a multi-level and integrated air and missile defense system, in particular, based on the Patriot system. It will coordinate with Ukraine and its allies to modernize the Air Force and procure modern fourth-generation fighters (including, but not limited to, F-16s), and assist in the development of other capabilities, including UAVs.
“The document refers to cooperation on the development of Ukraine’s defense industrial base through joint defense research, development, production, and support for increasing the production of necessary weapons, ammunition, and equipment in our country”, — the Presidential Office said in a statement.
The agreement also provides for cooperation in the field of economic recovery and reforms, as well as the promotion of reforms that deepen Ukraine’s Euro-Atlantic integration.
The document also contains a “just peace” clause, according to which the United States supports compensation for damage caused by Russia and the use of frozen Russian assets for Ukraine.
The United States became the 17th country with which Ukraine signed a bilateral security agreement to implement the provisions of the G7 Vilnius Declaration.
On June 13, Ukraine and Japan also signed a bilateral security agreement that will be in effect for the next ten years. According to the document, Japan will provide Ukraine with $4.5 billion this year.
Countries with which Ukraine has already signed security agreements
Previously, Ukraine signed such documents with the United Kingdom, Germany, France, Denmark, Canada, Italy, the Netherlands, Finland, Latvia, Spain, Belgium, Portugal, Sweden, Iceland, and Norway.
