President Joe Biden is heading to Italy for the G7 summit where he is expected to sign a long-term security agreement with Ukraine. The deal, which lays out a path for the US's continued support of Ukraine's defense, comes as tensions between Ukraine and Russia continue to escalate. According to multiple sources familiar with the matter, the agreement will commit the US for 10 years to continued training of Ukraine's armed forces and increased cooperation in weapons production, military assistance, and intelligence sharing. The pledge is an 'executive agreement,' making it less formal than a treaty but still significant in its commitment to Ukraine's defense. The US has been working on this agreement since last fall but was unable to complete negotiations until Congress passed supplemental funding for Ukraine earlier this year.
The signing of the security agreement comes as the international community continues to explore ways to use Russia's frozen assets, estimated at over $260 billion, to help Ukraine in its war effort. Negotiations on how to access these funds have been ongoing but have faced resistance from European countries due to legal and financial stability concerns.
Biden is also expected to meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy during the summit and will hold a joint news conference with him following their meeting. The two leaders are expected to discuss the security agreement, as well as other issues of mutual concern.
Former President Donald Trump, who is currently the presumptive Republican presidential nominee, has not made clear whether he would continue support for Ukraine if elected in November. He has previously expressed a desire to negotiate a quick end to the Russia-Ukraine war and encouraged European countries to contribute more to their own defense.
The US commitment to Ukraine's defense will continue, according to National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby. The agreement does not include a mutual defense clause but signals resolve from the US and its allies towards deterring future aggression from Russia.