Ukraine, U.S. sign agreement on strategic framework for defense partnership – Zelensky

KYIV. Sept 1 (Interfax-Ukraine) – Ukrainian Defense Minister Andriy Taran and U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin signed an agreement on a strategic framework for a defense partnership in Washington on Tuesday.

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky called this agreement "a new stage in defense cooperation" between Ukraine and the United States.

"For us, U.S. support for Ukraine’s territorial integrity, gaining NATO membership and joint opposition to Russian aggression are very important," he wrote on Twitter.

The Strategic Defense Framework reaffirms the key principles and sets out the ambitious goals of the bilateral relations between Ukraine and the United States in the field of defense, according to the press service of the head of state.

The document reaffirms the unwavering support of the United States for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of our state, as well as condemning the Russian occupation of Crimea and aggression in eastern Ukraine. It also identifies further steps in cooperation between the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine and the U.S. Department of Defense to increase the military potential and readiness of our country to preserve territorial integrity, progress towards interoperability with NATO and promote regional security.

The message says that the document reaffirms continued support for Ukraine’s right to determine its future foreign policy course, independent of external interference, in particular Ukraine’s aspirations to join NATO, as demonstrated by the United States and its Allies in the June 2021 Alliance Communiqué.

In order to continue to achieve these goals for the period until December 2026, bilateral defense relations will focus on confirming that bilateral security cooperation, as well as U.S. support, including a full training program.

According to the document, the United States will continue to effectively help Ukraine counter Russian aggression, carrying out reforms in the defense sector in accordance with NATO principles and standards, promoting the implementation of the provisions of the strategy for the development of the defense industry and the implementation of reforms to meet the needs of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

The deepening of cooperation in the Black Sea region for freedom of navigation and effective counteraction to threats and challenges in all spheres of military activity is also noted; strengthening cooperation in the field of cybersecurity; closer partnership of defense intelligence agencies.