Current:Home > NewsPresident Biden and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy sign 10-year security deal -GrowthSphere Strategies
President Biden and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy sign 10-year security deal
View
Date:2025-04-15 10:54:38
The leaders of the Group of Seven nations have agreed to give Ukraine a $50 billion loan to address the fallout from President Vladimir Putin's continued war on Ukraine, a senior administration official said Thursday.
The loan would be funded by interest earned on profits from Russia's frozen assets, largely held in Europe. The loan will fund military aid, humanitarian support and reconstruction costs. The move comes as Mr. Biden and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy signed a separate bilateral security agreement. The U.S.-Ukraine security agreement commits U.S. support to Ukraine for the next decade, including military training, intelligence sharing and weapons assistance.
The U.S. president and the leaders of Italy, Canada, Germany, France, Canada and the United Kingdom are in Italy for a series of G7 meetings this week. Mr. Biden and Zelenskyy held a joint press conference in Italy on Thursday.
"We've taken three major steps at the G7 that collectively show Putin he cannot wait us out," Mr. Biden said. "He cannot divide us. And we'll be with Ukraine until they prevail in this war. First is the bilateral security agreement just signed. Second, historic agreement to provide $50 billion in value from Russian sovereign assets to Ukraine. And third, an agreement to ensure our sanctions efforts disrupt third countries that are supplying Russia's war efforts."
For his part, Zelenskyy thanked Mr. Biden and Congress for their aid, and offered "thanks to every American heart that does not betray freedom and supports us."
The security agreement fulfills a pledge last year to solidify Ukrainian security and is meant to be a bridge to an eventual invitation to Ukraine to join NATO. More than a dozen other nations have similar security agreements with Ukraine.
The president's news conference with Zelenskyy follows a day of meetings with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and leaders of the other G7 nations with advanced industrialized economies.
As Mr. Biden was departing the U.S. for Italy, the Treasury and Commerce departments announced a new round of sanctions targeting Russia and its "war machine." The latest sanctions are aimed at slowing Russia's military growth as it continues its war in Ukraine. The sanctions will make it harder for Russia to import supplies to build military equipment, though they will still allow food and goods to get into Russia outside those sectors.
The Biden administration is now allowing Ukraine to use U.S. weapons across the border into Russia near the city of Kharkiv, a policy change that the White House says came with Russia opening a new front in its war.
"Our position here we believe is straightforward and common sensical," national security adviser Jake Sullivan told reporters earlier this week. "Russians are launching attacks from one side of the border directly on to the other side of the border. And Ukraine ought to be able to fire back across that border."
On Thursday, Mr. Biden said the U.S. stands by its policy of disallowing longer-range U.S. weapons into Russian territory.
Mr. Biden and Zelenskyy also met last week, on the sidelines of D-Day memorial events in France. Then, Mr. Biden publicly apologized to Zelenskyy for a monthslong holdup in military assistance that allowed Russia to make gains in its war.
"You haven't bowed down. You haven't yielded at all," Mr. Biden told Zelenskyy in France. "You continue to fight in a way that is just remarkable, just remarkable. We're not going to walk away from you."
During his press conference with Zelenskyy Thursday, the president was asked if he is satisfied with the justice system, after his son, Hunter, was convicted of felony gun charges this week. Mr. Biden reiterated that he will not pardon his son.
"I'm extremely proud of my son, Hunter," Mr. Biden said. "He has overcome an addiction. He's one of the brightest, most decent men I know. And I am satisfied that I'm not gonna do anything, I said I abide by the jury decision. I will do that. And I will not pardon him."
Corey Rangel contributed to this report
Kathryn WatsonKathryn Watson is a politics reporter for CBS News Digital, based in Washington, D.C.
veryGood! (48472)
Related
- Israel lets Palestinians go back to northern Gaza for first time in over a year as cease
- North Carolina legislators return to adjust the budget and consider other issues
- Erik Jones to miss NASCAR Cup race at Dover after fracturing back in Talladega crash
- Tyler, the Creator, The Killers to headline Outside Lands 2024: Tickets, dates, more
- This was the average Social Security benefit in 2004, and here's what it is now
- Jason Kelce Clarifies Rumors His Missing Super Bowl Ring Was Stolen
- Stock market today: Asian shares track Wall Streets rally, led by a 2.4% jump in Tokyo
- Remnants of bird flu virus found in pasteurized milk, FDA says
- Why members of two of EPA's influential science advisory committees were let go
- Supreme Court to weigh Trump immunity claim over 2020 election prosecution. Here are the details.
Ranking
- Bill Belichick's salary at North Carolina: School releases football coach's contract details
- Divided Supreme Court wrestles with Idaho abortion ban and federal law for emergency care
- What is the Meta AI tool? Can you turn it off? New feature rolls out on Facebook, Instagram
- 'He laughs. He cries': Caleb Williams' relatability, big arm go back to high school days
- Rolling Loud 2024: Lineup, how to stream the world's largest hip hop music festival
- A conservative quest to limit diversity programs gains momentum in states
- From Tom Cruise breakdancing to Spice Girls reuniting, reports from Victoria Beckham's bash capture imagination
- Burglars made off with $30 million in historic California heist. Weeks later, no one's been caught.
Recommendation
Retirement planning: 3 crucial moves everyone should make before 2025
United Methodists open first high-level conference since breakup over LGBTQ inclusion
Pelosi says Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu should resign
Mount Everest pioneer George Mallory's final letter to wife revealed 100 years after deadly climb: Vanishing hopes
Appeals court scraps Nasdaq boardroom diversity rules in latest DEI setback
Tesla profits plunge as it grapples with slumping electric vehicle sales
Indiana man accused of shooting neighbor over lawn mowing dispute faces charges: Police
Tennessee lawmakers pass bill allowing teachers, school staff to carry concealed handguns