Zelensky wants to forge security deal with US based on 'Israeli model'

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: News websites
31 Aug 2023 22:34
1 Shares

While not as secure as NATO membership, a security arrangement with the US would be a major step forward for Ukraine and would send a clear message to Russia that the West will continue to drag the war on.

In this photo provided by the Ukrainian Presidential Press Office on July 8, 2022, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky attends a meeting with military officials. (AP)

A report by Newsweek revealed on Thursday that Ukrainian officials have been negotiating with Washington over a security deal that would resemble in many ways the alliance between the US and "Israel."

Though the US and "Israel" do not have a definite security pact, the US supplies "Israel" with billions in military assistance, which includes weaponry, technology, training, and finances. However, "Israel" has since September 2021 been formally part of the US CENTCOM's area of responsibility.

While not as secure as NATO membership, a security arrangement with the US would be a major step forward for Ukraine and would send a clear message to Russia that the West will continue to drag the war on.

Eric Ciaramella, a former director for Ukraine at the National Security Council, told Newsweek that a formal security commitment to Ukraine "is a credible interim arrangement until the issue of NATO membership is clarified."

Such an alliance between the US and Ukraine would likely create a continuous flow of military assistance to Ukraine.

It would also ease worries for Kiev officials that the flow of money would be poured in a timely manner as Congress approves military spending to Ukraine on an ad hoc basis.

The alliance would also guarantee that aid continues to be poured in even if leadership changes are effected in the White House - particularly in light of Republican discontent with aid to Ukraine.

However, it is unclear whether Zelensky's statements about using "Israel" as a model for Ukraine reflect the authentic position of the negotiators or if he is merely expressing a desire for stronger security guarantees.

His comments on Sunday were not the first time he's used "Israel" as a model for a potential US-Ukraine alliance.

The Ukrainian leader has made references to "Israel" two times prior to this instance.

Since announcing in early August that the talks had commenced, the Biden administration has not said much about security negotiations with Ukraine.

In response to a request for comment, a White House official referred Newsweek to the joint declaration of support for Ukraine issued by US President Joe Biden and the other leaders of the Group of Seven (G7) nations at the NATO summit in Lithuania in July.

Congress may not be as supportive of Ukraine

The G7 members vowed to formalize bilateral security commitments with Ukraine to help it build a military "force capable of defending Ukraine now and deterring Russian aggression in the future."

According to the communique, the commitments will include providing Ukraine with military equipment, training, intelligence sharing, and support for its defense industry.

The Biden administration has not yet announced a timeline for the US-Ukraine security negotiations.

As for the case of "Israel", Congress is obliged by law to ensure that US military aid in the MENA region does not damage "Israel's" military superiority against its neighbors.

The White House could formalize its security commitment to Ukraine in a similar way to the US-"Israel" relationship, or it could explore other options.

Whatever the outcome, any agreement backed by Biden would need to be approved by Congress, which may not be as supportive of Ukraine as it is of "Israel," experts argue.