Ukraine-U.S. negotiations: Washington explains position on security guarantees

The U.S. Department of State said this in a press release on the launch of negotiations on U.S.-Ukrainian bilateral security commitments, Ukrinform reports.

"Today, representatives from the Department of State, Department of Defense, and National Security Council met with Ukrainian counterparts to begin negotiations on long-term security commitments between the two countries," the press release reads.

The State Department said that the bilateral security commitments would focus on ensuring Ukraine has a sustainable force capable of defending Ukraine now and deterring Russian aggression in the future, supporting and improving efficiency and transparency across Ukraine's defense institutions and industry, and "bolstering the reform agenda that will support the good governance necessary to advance towards its Euro-Atlantic aspirations."

The State Department said that these discussions fall under the framework of the G7 Joint Declaration of Support to Ukraine, which seeks "to formalize enduring U.S. support to Ukraine as it defends its sovereignty and territorial integrity, rebuilds its economy, protects its citizens, and pursues integration into the Euro-Atlantic community."