Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced that the United States and Ukraine are in the process of negotiating a bilateral security agreement. This agreement is expected to result in increased financial assistance to Ukraine over the course of the next decade.
Zelensky expressed his gratitude towards House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) and other members of Congress for their support of Ukraine. He specifically mentioned their efforts in approving a $61 billion aid package as part of a larger $95 billion foreign aid package. During his conversation with Jeffries, Zelensky highlighted the importance of acquiring Patriot systems for Ukraine’s defense. This request for additional American-made Patriot missile systems is not new, as Zelensky has previously made similar appeals.
Currently, Ukraine possesses three Patriot systems, one of which is from the U.S. and the other two are reportedly from Germany. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin recently announced that the U.S. will be sending more Patriot systems to Ukraine as part of an additional $6 billion foreign aid package.
“Also, our teams, Ukraine and the United States, are currently working on a bilateral security agreement, and we are already working on a specific text. Our goal is to make this agreement the strongest of all. We are discussing the specific foundations of our security and cooperation,” Zelensky said. “We are also working on fixing specific levels of support for this year and for the next ten years, including armed support, financial, political, and joint arms production. The agreement should be truly exemplary and reflect the strength of American leadership. I am grateful to both our team and the team of the American side for the progress in drafting the agreement.”
The United States has recently approved $61 billion in foreign aid, and in addition to this, United Kingdom Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has pledged to provide an extra £500 million in foreign aid to Ukraine.
