Joe Biden to sign new security agreement with Ukraine during G7 summit
- Fifteen countries have signed on, a US official says, in a bid to send Russia’s Putin a message that he cannot outlast Kyiv’s allies
US President Joe Biden will sign a new security agreement with Ukraine on Thursday to pledge America’s long-term support to the country, during his meeting with leaders of the Group of Seven democracies in Italy, a top US official said.
Biden departed for Italy on Wednesday to increase pressure on Russia over its war against Ukraine and on China for its support of Moscow and excess industrial capacity.
The agreement will make clear “our support will last long into the future … particularly in the defence and security space”, White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan told reporters aboard Air Force One.
“By signing this we’ll also be sending Russia a signal of our resolve. If Vladimir Putin thinks he can outlast the coalition supporting Ukraine, he’s wrong,” Sullivan said.
Fifteen countries have signed the security agreement, which will strengthen Ukraine’s “defensive deterrence capability”, he said. The agreement will include a commitment to working with the US Congress on funding Ukraine going forward but will not commit to using US forces on the ground, Sullivan added.
The White House had said earlier that Biden will meet Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at the summit, followed by a joint press conference. The US also expects Biden to meet India’s Narendra Modi, who was sworn in as India’s prime minister for a third term, and is waiting for India to formally confirm Modi’s attendance at the summit.
