Biden, Ukraine's Zelenskyy discuss 'bilateral security commitments'

By Michael Hernandez

WASHINGTON (AA) - President Joe Biden and his Ukrainian counterpart, Volodymyr Zelenskyy discussed Wednesday the US's "readiness" to provide Kyiv with "security commitments."

During a bilateral meeting on the sidelines of a NATO leaders summit in Lithuania, the presidents "discussed US readiness to begin negotiations with Ukraine on bilateral security commitments to ensure a sustainable force capable of defending Ukraine now and in the future," the White House said in a statement.

"President Biden emphasized the enduring U.S. commitment to supporting Ukraine’s defense against Russia’s war of aggression and U.S. support for Ukraine as it pursues integration into the Euro-Atlantic community," it said.

"The leaders also discussed Ukraine’s ongoing counteroffensive and continued U.S. assistance to support this effort," it said.

The White House added that Biden and Zelenskyy welcomed a G-7 joint statement released during the NATO meeting that vowed the bloc's enduring commitment to Ukraine as Russia continues to pursue its war.

The declaration said each member country committed to work with Ukraine over the long term on bilateral security commitments and arrangements to ensure Kyiv's military capability, strengthen its economic stability and resilience, and provide technical and financial support for its immediate needs.

The security guarantees come as Russia's war nears the year-and-a-half mark after beginning in February 2022.