Biden, Zelenskyy Sign Long-Term Security Agreement at G7

‘Our goal is to strengthen Ukraine’s credible defense and deterrence capabilities for the long term,’…

The Epoch Times

‘Our goal is to strengthen Ukraine’s credible defense and deterrence capabilities for the long term,’ President Biden said.

PUGLIA, Italy—President Joe Biden signed a 10-year bilateral security agreement with his Ukrainian counterpart, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, on June 13, signifying a continuing U.S. commitment to support the war-torn country against Russian aggression.

The two leaders signed the agreement on the sidelines of the Group of Seven (G7) summit in southern Italy. It includes a U.S. commitment to bring its military cooperation with Ukraine up to NATO standards and help accelerate its transformation into a nation befitting its goal to join the European Union.

“Our goal is to strengthen Ukraine’s credible defense and deterrence capabilities for the long term,” President Biden said in a joint press conference after signing the agreement. “We’ve taken three major steps at the G7 that collectively show Putin he cannot wait us out. He cannot divide us and we will be with Ukraine until they prevail in this war.”

The agreement also outlines U.S. commitment to developing multiple facets of Ukraine’s forces, including its Air and Missile Defense, confirming the utilization of the Patriot missile system in the process.

The White House also announced its intention to provide long-term training and advice to Ukrainian forces and invite them to join U.S. and multilateral exercises “when appropriate.”

President Biden reaffirmed, though, that the United States would not send American troops to Ukraine to fight and will instead continue to provide weapons and ammunition, expand intelligence sharing, and continue to train Ukrainian troops in Europe and the United States…