As with other countries, the agreement with the US will be valid for ten years and can be extended. After the signing, the presidents held a press conference.
"President Zelenskyy and I have just signed an agreement between Ukraine and the United States. Our goal is to strengthen Ukraine's reliable defence and deterrence capabilities in the long term. Any lasting peace for Ukraine must be underpinned by its ability to defend itself now and deter aggression in the future. The US will help ensure that Ukraine is able to do both. Not by sending American troops to fight in Ukraine, but by providing weapons and ammunition, expanding intelligence sharing, and continuing to train brave Ukrainian soldiers at military bases in Europe and the United States," Joe Biden said.
The United States will also help strengthen compliance with NATO standards. Biden also said that the agreement outlines a shared desire for a just peace.
In return, Ukraine must implement democratic reforms.
"We have taken three powerful steps at this summit that demonstrate to Putin that we cannot be waited out," he said.
The Ukrainian President said that today was a historic day.
"We have signed the strongest agreement with the United States since our independence," Zelenskyy said.
According to him, the document contains specific legal obligations. The US guarantees the sustainability of security support. The agreement also establishes that American support is aimed at winning the war.
In terms of weapons, there are specifics on the provision of air defence systems and squadrons, which include but are not limited to F-16s.
The US also confirmed that it supports Ukraine's reconstruction through compensation to Russia.
The text of the agreement also includes support for Ukraine's accession to NATO.
Head of the President's Office Andriy Yermak said the agreement is fundamentally different from the Budapest Memorandum, as it contains clear implementation steps and commitments from the parties. The US commits to providing a stable level of support to Ukraine every year for ten years, covering key aspects of support, including defence.
"Within two months of its signing, the document will be registered with the UN, as provided for by the Charter of this organisation. Thus, this agreement is officially put into international circulation. The agreement reaffirms the validity of all previous security agreements and emphasises that Ukraine's future lies in NATO. An important point is that the parties consider this document as a bridge to our accession to the Alliance, this was discussed during the preparation of the document," Yermak said.
The agreement also contains all the key elements of the Peace Formula.
"An important part of it is cooperation in economic recovery and investment. In particular, the United States will help Ukraine with energy security, its decentralisation and further integration with the European system. The agreement also provides for further assistance from the United States in reforming and increasing the transparency of our state machinery," he added.
The President's Office website clarifies that with the signing of this 10-year agreement, the United States and Ukraine will work together to
- Build and maintain Ukraine's credible defence and deterrence posture.The agreement sets out a vision for a future Ukrainian Armed Forces that is strong, resilient and sustainable. The United States and Ukraine will deepen security and defence cooperation and work closely with Ukraine's wide network of security partners. The United States will support the full range of Ukraine's current defence needs now and in the long term, helping Ukraine win the war and strengthening its ability to deter future threats. Together, we will expand intelligence sharing, enhance interoperability between our armed forces in accordance with NATO standards, and work with our allies and partners to position Ukraine as a long-term contributor to European security.
- Strengthen Ukraine's ability to sustain its fight over the long term, including by building on efforts to strengthen Ukraine's defence industrial base, as well as supporting its economic recovery and energy security.
- To accelerate Ukraine's Euro-Atlantic integration, in particular through Ukraine's reforms of its democratic, economic and security institutions in line with its EU accession goals and NATO's reform agenda.
- Achieve a just peace that respects Ukraine's rights under international law, enjoys broad global support, upholds the core principles of the UN Charter, including sovereignty and territorial integrity, and holds Russia accountable for its actions.
- Hold consultations at the highest level in the event of a future armed attack by Russia on Ukraine to determine appropriate and necessary measures to support Ukraine and impose sanctions on Russia.