In a significant development ahead of the NATO summit in Washington, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and U.S. President Joe Biden have signed a long-awaited bilateral security agreement. The agreement, signed on the sidelines of the Group of Seven (G7) summit in Italy, aims to bolster Ukraine's defense capabilities against Russia's ongoing invasion.

This 10-year agreement marks Ukraine's 17th security pact concluded under the G7 Joint Declaration of Support. It brings the U.S. in line with other countries such as the U.K., Germany, and France, who have signed similar treaties to assist Ukraine in repelling the Russian incursion. At least 10 more agreements are expected to be signed.

Unlike NATO, the agreement does not require an immediate military response from the U.S. in the event of an attack on Ukraine. Instead, the parties are required to meet within 24 hours to discuss the situation. Furthermore, the agreement does not outline new prospects for Ukraine's NATO membership.

Under the agreement, the U.S. commits to assisting in the development of Ukraine's Armed Forces by providing training, expanding cooperation in weapon and equipment production, offering military aid, and enhancing intelligence sharing. The agreement emphasizes the goal of developing a modern, NATO-interoperable force for Ukraine, including improvements in air and missile defense, cybersecurity, and maritime capabilities. The text also mentions the potential procurement of modern fighter aircraft, such as F-16s.

Described as "unprecedented" by Zelensky, the agreement holds considerable legal weight as it is an executive agreement signed by the U.S. president. Ukrainian officials consider it as the strongest among the 17 security agreements signed by Kyiv with other nations.

While the deal has been hailed as a significant step forward, some experts, such as Oleksandr Kraiev, believe it falls short of their expectations. Kraiev suggests that the agreement is "less radical" than even the one signed with the U.K., referencing the 2.5-billion-pound ($3.2 billion) military aid package announced by Prime Minister Rishi Sunak during his visit to Kyiv in January.

In addition to defense and security cooperation, the agreement also highlights intentions to focus on economic recovery and reforms. This includes supporting Ukraine's energy security, promoting a modern and integrated energy system with Europe, and providing technical assistance for the country's economic needs arising from the conflict with Russia. The agreement also emphasizes Ukraine's commitment to institutional reforms aligned with democratic principles and EU and NATO standards, particularly judiciary reform and robust anti-corruption measures.

Although the agreement does not explicitly state the restoration of Ukraine's territorial integrity as a clear goal, it emphasizes holding Russia accountable and pursuing a just and sustainable peace that respects Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity under international law.

Looking forward, Kyiv hopes for a definite signal regarding its NATO membership at the upcoming NATO summit in July. However, American officials have indicated that Ukraine is unlikely to receive an invitation. President Biden has noted that the agreement supports a bridge to Ukraine's eventual membership in NATO.

The agreement allows for the possibility of training and exercise programs in Ukraine once security conditions permit. It also calls for the incorporation of NATO doctrine and combined arms concepts into Ukraine's security and defense forces.

The agreement can be terminated by either party with written notice, and the termination takes effect after six months. The fate of the agreement under a potential re-election of Donald Trump remains uncertain, with experts suggesting submitting it to Congress for approval as a means of safeguarding its continuity.

Overall, the bilateral security agreement between Ukraine and the U.S. signifies a significant step forward in strengthening defense cooperation and support for Ukraine's security and prosperity amidst ongoing conflict with Russia.