The President of the United States, Joe Biden, and the President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelensky, signed a 10-year bilateral security agreement this Thursday (13), with the aim of strengthening Ukraine’s defense against Russian invaders.
The agreement, signed on the sidelines of the G7 summit in Italy, is intended to be a step towards Ukraine’s eventual membership of NATO, according to the text of the agreement.
“The parties recognize this agreement as supporting a bridge to Ukraine’s eventual accession to the NATO alliance,” the document states.
The Ukrainian president has long sought NATO membership, but the allies have not taken that step.
The Western alliance considers any attack launched against one of its 32 members as an attack against all, according to the Article 5 clause.
In the event of an armed attack or threatened attack against Ukraine, senior U.S. and Ukrainian officials will meet within 24 hours.
The meeting would be held to consult on a response and determine what additional defense needs are necessary for Ukraine, says the agreement signed this Thursday (13).
According to the document, the United States reaffirms its support for the defense of Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, amid a new offensive by Russia on the Ukrainian eastern front.
“To ensure Ukraine’s security, both sides recognize that the country needs a significant military force, robust capabilities and sustained investments in its defense industrial base that are consistent with North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) standards.” , says the text.
“The United States intends to provide long-term materiel, training and advice, sustainment, intelligence, security, defense industrial, institutional, and other support to develop Ukrainian security and defense forces that are capable of defending a sovereign, independent, and democratic Ukraine and deter future aggression”, states in the document.
Source: CNN Brasil

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