President Biden and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky plan to sign a 10-year security agreement on Thursday. This deal aims to provide Ukraine with a wide range of military assistance to bolster its defense against Russia. National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan announced this initiative, highlighting the commitment of the U.S. to support Ukraine.
Long-Term U.S. Support for Ukraine
The agreement is designed to ensure continued U.S. support for Ukraine, even if political leadership changes in the future, including the possibility of former President Donald Trump winning the upcoming election. The framework aims to develop Ukraine’s armed forces, which have been innovative in drone warfare and other techniques but still need modern weapons.
Officials hope the agreement will transcend political divisions in the U.S., though they acknowledge that any future president could withdraw from it since it is an executive agreement and not a treaty ratified by Congress. The deal does not address Ukraine’s prospects for joining NATO, which remain uncertain.
Demonstrating U.S. Commitment
Sullivan emphasized the U.S.’s long-term commitment to Ukraine’s security needs. “We want to demonstrate that the U.S. supports the people of Ukraine and that we’ll continue to help address their security needs not just tomorrow but into the future,” he said. He also added that this agreement aims to strengthen Ukraine’s defense and deterrence capabilities.
Political Uncertainty
With Trump leading in many election polls, the future of the agreement is uncertain. Trump has expressed skepticism about Ukraine’s continued fight and has suggested that Europe should take on more of the burden of supporting Kyiv. However, he has also signaled support for congressional aid to Ukraine.
Months of Negotiations
The agreement follows months of negotiations that began in August last year, after a NATO summit where the Biden administration was hesitant to offer Ukraine a speedy path to NATO membership. Instead, officials proposed a series of bilateral security agreements to create binding, long-term support for Kyiv.
During these negotiations, U.S. short-term military aid to Ukraine faced delays in Congress, with House Republicans delaying new funding approval until April. This delay impacted discussions about the long-term deal, as U.S. officials felt it was impractical to discuss long-term commitments without immediate support.
Broader International Support
Biden will join 15 other countries that have signed bilateral agreements with Ukraine, including Britain, France, Germany, and Italy. An additional 16 countries have committed to making similar agreements. These nations are expected to coordinate their assistance pledges, potentially starting at a NATO summit in Washington next month.
Details of the Pact
The agreement does not commit the U.S. to supply troops to defend Ukraine but promises high-level consultations within 24 hours if Ukraine is attacked again. It also ensures that the U.S. president will work with Congress to implement the security agreements. The U.S. will continue to train Ukraine’s military, deepen defense industry cooperation, share more intelligence, and build Ukraine’s deterrent power across air, sea, and cyber domains.
Eric Ciaramella, a former White House official, emphasized the broader perspective of the agreement. “It’s about moving the planning cycle from only fighting the current war to thinking in a much broader perspective about deterrence and defense,” he said. He also noted that there will be ways to strengthen these agreements over time, including coordination with allies.
This agreement represents a significant step in ensuring long-term support for Ukraine as it continues to defend itself against Russian aggression.
