US, Ukraine to sign 10-year bilateral security agreement

International

US President Joe Biden and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy will sign a 10-year bilateral security agreement when they meet on the sidelines of the Group of Seven summit in Italy.

A senior White House official said Biden is scheduled to meet Zelenskyy on Thursday.

So far 15 countries, including Britain and France, have signed bilateral agreements with Ukraine to ensure the country's long-term security.

The agreements are based on a joint declaration issued at last year's G7 summit in Hiroshima.

White House National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan spoke to reporters on board Air Force One en route to Italy.

He said, "We outline a clear vision of work with our allies and partners with Ukraine in order to continue to strengthen Ukraine's credible defense and deterrence capability."

Sullivan pledged long-term US support for Ukraine's fight against Russian aggression.

However, he stressed the agreement does not include any commitment to using US forces to defend Ukraine.