During the working visit of President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy to the United States, a number of agreements on strategic defense partnership, scientific and technical cooperation, space flight security, information protection, and border security were signed, the Office of the President reports.
In particular, in the presence of the President, the Strategic Defense Framework was signed between the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine and the United States Department of Defense, which creates conditions for a significant strengthening of cooperation between the two countries in the field of defense, provides international legal support from the US for the sovereignty, territorial integrity, and independence of Ukraine, ensures joint resistance to Russian aggression and facilitates Ukraine's membership in NATO.
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 by:
- reaffirming the unwavering support of the United States for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine
- condemning the Russian occupation of Crimea and aggression in eastern Ukraine;
- identifying further steps in cooperation between the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine and the US Department of Defense to increase the military potential and readiness of Ukraine to preserve territorial integrity, progress towards interoperability with NATO and promote regional security;
- reaffirming 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 before December 2026, bilateral defense relations will focus on:
- confirming that bilateral security cooperation, as well as US support, including a full training program, 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;
- deepening cooperation in the Black Sea region in order to ensure freedom of navigation and effective counteraction to threats and challenges in all spheres of military activity;
- strengthening cooperation in the field of cybersecurity;
- developing a closer partnership of defense intelligence communities.
In addition, a number of other agreements were signed during the meeting:
- Master Agreement on Research, Development, Testing and Evaluation Projects was also signed between the Government of Ukraine and the United States Government, which demonstrates the fundamental deepening of cooperation between the two countries in science, technology and military-technical areas, and contributes to the development of an international legal base for the conclusion of contracts on the implementation of joint research and development work in the field of defense.
- Memorandum of Understanding was signed between the State Space Agency of Ukraine and the US Department of Defense Space Command on cooperation in the field of space flight safety and the provision of services and information on space situational awareness.
- Agreement between the Administration of the State Service of Special Communications and Information Protection of Ukraine and the State Department of the United States of America on the Establishment of a Secure Communication Link.
- Agreement between the State Border Service of Ukraine and the Customs and Border Protection of the United States on the use of information about travelers.