Zelensky: We have signed strongest agreement with United States since our independence

"Today is a truly historic day. We have signed the strongest agreement between Ukraine and the United States since our independence. This is an agreement on security and therefore on the protection of human life. This is an agreement on cooperation, and thus on how our states will become stronger. It is an agreement on steps to guarantee sustainable peace, and therefore it benefits everyone in the world. Because Russia's war against Ukraine is a truly global threat," Zelensky stressed.

Addressing journalists, he listed the benefits of the document

First, according to Zelensky, the agreement contains a very detailed binding part, "which means confidence in American support for Ukrainian independence".

"Secondly, the security commitments of the United States are based, among other things, on the sustainability of security and defence support not only for the duration of this war, but also for the period of peace that will follow the war. And we will certainly ensure peace," the Head of State noted.

Thirdly, according to the President, the agreement clearly postulates that American support for Ukrainian efforts is aimed at Ukraine's victory in the war .

"Fourthly. The agreement also has good provisions on our defence, very specific on Patriot systems, very specific on the supply of combat squadrons to Ukraine. I made no mistake, squadrons, plural, not limited to F-16s. We have been working for a long time for this," Zelensky said, without elaborating on the aircraft in question.

Instead, he noted that the agreement is "very specific on the supply of jointly produced weapons and strengthening the defence industry of our countries." The document also outlines what is needed in terms of intelligence sharing.

"Fifth, the agreement also addresses the issue of Russia's just responsibility for this war and its attempts to destroy Ukrainians. America supports both fair compensation for the damage caused by Russian strikes and the development of ways to ensure that frozen Russian assets are used to defend and rebuild Ukraine. The agreement also includes sanctions and export controls that will make the Russians feel the pain for what they are doing against people's freedom," Zelensky assured. 

Read also: Zelensky at G7 Summit: Ukraine needs additional Patriots, transition to F-16s, and recovery plan

He also noted that "the philosophy of our security agreement is actually the philosophy of the Alliance, and that is why the NATO issue is mentioned in the text of the agreement."

"It postulates that America supports Ukraine's future membership in NATO and recognises that our no-peak agreement is a bridge to membership in the Alliance," the President of Ukraine said.

As reported, on 13 June, on the sidelines of the Group of Seven summit in Italy, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky and US President Joseph Biden signed a security agreement. A security agreement was also concluded with Japan, signed by Prime Minister Fumio Kishida. 

Photo: Office of the President