US and G7 with Kiev, Biden signs bilateral security agreement
Financial deal reached for $50 billion in aid to Ukraine, still to be negotiated in detail. US president: strong signal of our firm support
by Beda Romano
3' min read
3' min read
Amidst kisses and hugs from his biggest supporters, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky yesterday collected the renewed support of the Group of Seven two and a half years after the Russian invasion of the country. In addition to a bilateral security agreement with the US, Ukraine also got a new $50 billion loan. Behind the announcements, however, one glimpses if not doubts, uncertainties. Among other things, the financial arrangement is still to be negotiated in detail.
For Ukraine new $50 billion loan
."Today the United States is sending a strong signal of our firm support for Ukraine," US President Joe Biden said at a press conference last night on the sidelines of a meeting in Borgo Egnazia, in the province of Brindisi, where a G7 meeting is being held. 'Our goal is to ensure that Ukraine has a credible defence in the long term (...) We will not send troops to Ukraine, but weapons, ammunition, with an exchange in intelligence and the training of new troops'.
"The parties recognise that this agreement represents a bridge towards Ukraine's eventual membership in NATO," the text reads. According to the agreement, in the event of an armed attack or threat of attack against Ukraine, senior US and Ukrainian officials will meet within 24 hours to consult on a response and determine what additional defence requirements are necessary for Kiev. As mentioned, the 10-year understanding with the US does not provide for US intervention on the ground.
At the same press conference last night, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky warmly thanked the American president. He added that the Russian war in Ukraine is 'truly a global threat'. The Ukrainian leader emphasised that the bilateral agreement contains 'good arms-related provisions, such as the Patriot anti-aircraft defence system'. He pointed out that 'the understanding will also be positive because it will create jobs in Ukraine and the US'.
The agreement could be reneged on by Trump if elected
.The agreement will not be ratified by Congress; it could therefore easily be reneged if Donald Trump returns to the White House. Moreover, a not dissimilar understanding signed in 1994, the so-called Budapest Memorandum, was in fact ignored in 2014 when Russia invaded Crimea. Tokyo also signed a security agreement with Ukraine yesterday on the sidelines of the G7. Since 2022, Ukraine has signed 15 security arrangements, including one with Italy.
