US, Ukraine to sign 10-year security deal for troop training, weapons production, ongoing military aid

The US and Ukraine are expected to sign a bilateral security pact at the G7 summit in Italy on Thursday that would outline the US’ long-term security relationship with Ukraine as its conflict with Russia continues.

Sources familiar with the matter told CNN that the pact is expected to be an "executive agreement," which is less formal than a treaty and nonbinding for future presidents. The agreement is expected to last for 10 years, with the US committing to the continued training of Ukraine’s troops, cooperation in producing weapons and equipment, greater intelligence sharing, and the continued providence of military assistance.

Two of the sources stated that the expected agreement does not include a specific monetary pledge for Ukraine’s defenses. One of the sources said that an annex in the agreement will detail how the Biden administration plans to work with Congress on spending for the security commitments.

The agreement between the US and Ukraine will reportedly be similar to other bilateral agreements Ukraine has signed with 14 other countries, including Germany, France, and the UK. 17 other countries have reportedly committed to negotiating similar pacts.

The deal will reportedly include a promise from the US to hold consultations with Ukraine following a future attack by Russia to determine the next steps, people familiar with the agreement told the outlet. The agreement will not include a mutual defense clause, like the agreements signed by other allies with Ukraine. That clause would have seen the US commit to defending Ukraine militarily in the event of another attack.

National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby said Tuesday that the US’ commitment to Ukraine "will continue to be right up front and clear at the G7 meeting. He added that the US "will take bold steps to show Mr. Putin that time is not on his side and that he cannot outlast us, as we support Ukraine's fight for freedom."

Kirby said that Biden and Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky will meet during the summit, and that the US will announce steps to unfreeze assets from Russia to use in Ukraine’s reconstruction efforts after the conflict.