US President Joe Biden and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy have been discussing how to reinforce Ukraine’s security. They signed an agreement on Thursday on the sidelines of the G7 summit in Italy to equip and train Ukrainian forces over the next ten years.
The leaders said the deal will allow Ukrainians to respond to current and future threats. They added that it will act as a “bridge” to Ukraine’s eventual membership in NATO.
Biden said lasting peace must be underwritten by Ukraine’s own ability to defend itself now and to deter aggression “anytime in the future.”
Zelenskyy said it is very important for all Ukrainians and for all Europeans to know that there will be “no security deficit” in Europe, which he says “tempts the aggressor to war” and makes the future uncertain.
The Americans have provided Ukraine with a stream of advanced military equipment, including Patriot missile systems. They plan to help the Ukrainians shift their “air defense architecture” into a more modern one. Both sides want to work with private companies in those efforts and in producing artillery shells, drones and other weapons.
US forces and other allies plan to train Ukrainian soldiers during exercises in the US and, when “conditions allow,” they hope to carry out some drills in Ukraine.
Fifteen nations, including the United Kingdom, France and Germany, have already signed similar agreements with Ukraine.