US President Joe Biden and Pres. of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky signed a 10-year bilateral security agreement aimed at strengthening Ukraine's defense against Russian invaders, Reuters reported.
According to the text of the agreement, signed on the sidelines of the G-7 summit in Italy, it should be a step towards Ukraine's membership in NATO. "The parties recognize that this agreement helps build a bridge to Ukraine's membership in the NATO alliance," the text says.
Zelensky has long sought NATO membership, but allies have been reluctant to take that step. The Western Alliance regards any attack against one of its 32 member countries as an attack against all under the Article Five clause of the founding act.
In the event of an armed attack or threat of one against Ukraine, senior US and Ukrainian officials will meet within 24 hours to consult on the response and determine what additional defense needs Ukraine needs, it said. in the agreement.
Under the agreement, the US reaffirms its support for the protection of Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity amid renewed Russian pressure on the eastern Ukrainian front.
"In order to ensure Ukraine's security, both sides recognize that it needs substantial military forces, robust technical capabilities and sustained investment in its defense industrial base that is consistent with North Atlantic Treaty Organization standards (NATO)", the text says.
"The United States intends to provide long-term material, training and advisory, support, intelligence, security, defense-industrial, institutional, and other support to the development of Ukrainian security and defense forces capable of defending a sovereign, independent, and democratic Ukraine and deter future aggression," the document added.