US, Ukraine expected to sign long-term security agreement at G7: CNN
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On the sidelines of the G7 summit, the US and Ukraine are expected to sign a bilateral security agreement, sources confirmed to CNN.
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US President Joe Biden shakes hands with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Paris, on June 7, 2024. (AP)
The US and Ukraine are expected to sign a bilateral security pact on Thursday at the G7 summit in Italy, sources told CNN. The deal outlines a path for the US’ long-term security relationship with Kiev, but future US administrations could still reverse it.
As per the agreement, which came about following months of US-Ukraine negotiations, the US would commit to train Ukraine's armed forces for 10 years, enhance cooperation in weapons production, continue military assistance, and increase intelligence sharing. However, as an "executive agreement," it is less formal than a treaty and not binding for future presidents.
Two sources familiar with the agreement have indicated that it does not include a specific monetary pledge for Ukraine's defense. However, one of the sources mentioned that an annex in the agreement would outline how the Biden administration intends to collaborate with Congress on implementing security commitments, particularly regarding the long-term funding required to support Ukraine.
During the upcoming G7 summit, the US plans to announce measures aimed at releasing Russia's frozen assets for Ukraine's reconstruction once the conflict concludes. That said, on Wednesday, G7 leaders agreed to provide Ukraine with $50 billion by utilizing frozen Russian assets by the end of the year, the French presidency announced on Wednesday.
"We have an agreement," an official from the French presidency confirmed ahead of the G7 summit in Italy on Thursday, with a focus on supporting Ukraine amid the ongoing war.
The pledge expected to be signed between the US and Ukraine will mirror the 14 other bilateral agreements Ukraine has already concluded with allies such as the UK, France, and Germany. According to one source, this agreement will mark the 15th such deal signed, with an additional 17 countries committed to negotiating similar bilateral security pacts with Ukraine.
However, similar to Ukraine's agreements with other allies, the bilateral pact with the US will not feature a mutual defense clause obligating military defense in case of another Russian strike. Zelensky has expressed appreciation for these bilateral commitments but reiterated that they do not replace Ukraine's aspiration for full NATO membership, which includes Article V's mutual defense provision.
The agreement follows Biden's recent decision to authorize Ukraine to use US-provided weapons for direct strikes into Russia, a significant policy shift that Ukraine had requested for months.
