Ukraine and the USA are united in a security agreement that will last for ten years.
We will support Ukraine in the long term, promised the USA's President Joe Biden after signing the security pact.
The meeting between the USA's President and Ukraine's head of state Volodymyr Zelenskyj took place in south-eastern Italy, in the shadow of the ongoing G7 meeting outside Bari.
The two signed the security pact, a cooperation that will last for ten years. Then Biden began the press conference by underlining how the G7 countries stand united in supporting Ukraine in the fight against the Russian invasion.
Putin cannot divide us, he cannot think that he can wait us out, said Biden at 21:00. The press conference had been delayed by an hour and a half from the scheduled time.
No American Forces
The USA's President also threatened those who break the sanctions directed against Russia.
Any bank in the world that breaks the sanctions will be affected, said Biden. He also marked a unity within the G7 group on the danger of Chinese support to Russia in the invasion war.
But President Biden established the American stance that they will not send forces to Ukraine.
"Save Lives"
Then Zelenskyj thanked for the American support, both short- and long-term.
This is a historic day, this agreement will save lives, said Zelenskyj directly after Biden's short speech. He then said that the security pact will also create job opportunities in the future both in the USA and in Ukraine.
According to Zelenskyj, the security pact means "a bridge" to a future membership in the military alliance NATO.
Zelenskyj also said that China's President Xi Jinping has promised not to sell weapons to Russia.
He gave me his word.
The agreement between the USA and Ukraine also includes a clause where either party can terminate the agreement with six months' notice.
Ukraine also signed an agreement with Japan on security cooperation on Thursday. According to the agreement, Kiev will receive support of approximately 50 billion kronor this year, as well as continued economic support for the next ten years.
