The deal, signed on the sidelines of the G7 summit in Italy, aims to commit future US administrations to support Ukraine, even if former President Donald Trump wins November’s election, officials said, Reuters reported.
"Our goal is to strengthen Ukraine's credible defense and deterrence capabilities for the long term," Biden said at a joint news conference with Zelenskiy.
He said the G7's message to Russian President Vladimir Putin is "You cannot wait us out. You cannot divide us." The group of rich nations also agreed to a $50 billion loan for Ukraine backed by profits from frozen Russian assets.
The US-Ukraine security deal is a framework for a long-term effort to help develop Ukraine’s outdated armed forces and serve as a step towards Ukraine's eventual NATO membership, according to the text.
The Ukraine president called the agreement historic, saying it is a bridge toward his country's eventual NATO membership.
Zelenskiy has long sought NATO membership but the allies have stopped short of taking that step. The Western alliance regards any attack launched on one of its 32 members as an attack on all under its Article Five clause.
According to Reuters, under the agreement, the United States restates its support for Ukraine's defense of its sovereignty and territorial integrity, amid a renewed push by Russia on Ukraine's eastern front.
It also outlines plans to develop Ukraine's own defense industry and expand its military.
Ukraine needs a "significant" military force and sustained investments in its defense industrial base consistent with NATO standards, the text says.
It will allow the two countries to share intelligence, hold training and military education programs and combined military and exercises.
With Trump leading Biden in many election polls, the future of the agreement remains unclear.
Trump has expressed skepticism of Ukraine’s continued fight, saying at one point that he would end the conflict in his first day in office. Trump has also pushed for Europe to take on more of the burden of supporting Kyiv.
SD/PR