During the working visit of President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy to the United States, a number of agreements on strategic defense partnership, scientific and technical cooperation, space flight security, information protection and border security were signed.
In particular, in the presence of the President, the Strategic Defense Framework was signed between the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine and the United States Department of Defense, which creates conditions for a significant strengthening of cooperation between the two countries in the field of defense, provides international legal support from the US for the sovereignty, territorial integrity and independence of Ukraine, ensures joint resistance to Russian aggression and facilitates Ukraine's membership in NATO.
The Strategic Defense Framework reaffirms the key principles and sets out the ambitious goals of the bilateral relations between Ukraine and the United States in the field of defense. Among other things, by reaffirming the unwavering support of the United States for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of our state, as well as condemning the Russian occupation of Crimea and aggression in eastern Ukraine; identifying further steps in cooperation between the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine and the US Department of Defense to increase the military potential and readiness of our country to preserve territorial integrity, progress towards interoperability with NATO and promote regional security; reaffirming continued support for Ukraine's right to determine its future foreign policy course, independent of external interference, in particular Ukraine's aspirations to join NATO, as demonstrated by the United States and its Allies in the June 2021 Alliance Communiqué.
In order to continue to achieve these goals for the period until December 2026, bilateral defense relations will focus on confirming that bilateral security cooperation, as well as US support, including a full training program, effectively help Ukraine counter Russian aggression; carrying out reforms in the defense sector in accordance with NATO principles and standards; promoting the implementation of the provisions of the strategy for the development of the defense industry and the implementation of reforms to meet the needs of the Armed Forces of Ukraine; deepening cooperation in the Black Sea region in order to ensure freedom of navigation and effective counteraction to threats and challenges in all spheres of military activity; strengthening cooperation in the field of cybersecurity; closer partnership of defense intelligence communities.
A Master Agreement on Research, Development, Testing and Evaluation Projects was also signed between the Government of Ukraine and the United States Government, which demonstrates the fundamental deepening of cooperation between the two countries in science, technology and military-technical areas, and contributes to the development of international legal base for the conclusion of contracts on the implementation of joint research and development work in the field of defense.
The document creates conditions for the introduction of advanced defense technologies, the launch of projects in the field of modernization of armaments and military equipment with the investment of the American party and provides for the implementation of measures to test armaments and military equipment using equipment and technologies not available in Ukraine.
The agreement enables the involvement of Ukrainian research institutions in the implementation of US projects, promotion of products and services of both countries in third country markets, taking into account the standards of NATO member countries and allows the use of state-of-the-art equipment, which is not available in Ukraine, to conduct research, verify the results and evaluate their effectiveness.
In addition, a Memorandum of Understanding was signed between the State Space Agency of Ukraine and the US Department of Defense Space Command on cooperation in the field of space flight safety and the provision of services and information on space situational awareness.
This document expands the development of Ukrainian-American cooperation with a new direction, corresponds to Ukraine's participation in the US-led Artemis space program, opens additional opportunities for our country in the context of intentions to prepare its own launch vehicle for future commercial launches. It will also systematically facilitate the renewal of old or the conclusion of new bilateral agreements between Ukraine and the United States in the space sphere.
Also in Washington, an Agreement was signed between the Administration of the State Service of Special Communications and Information Protection of Ukraine and the State Department of the United States of America on the Establishment of a Secure Communication Link.
The document provides for a secure line of communication, provides a stable special channel of communication between Ukraine and the United States, demonstrates the preservation and strengthening of bilateral trust between Kyiv and Washington, meets common Ukrainian-American interests in strengthening peace and international security, reduces threats and improves the implementation of functions by the involved national government units.
The State Border Service of Ukraine and the Customs and Border Protection of the United States have concluded an agreement between the governments of the countries on the use of information about travelers.
This is another step towards increasing the level of border and national security of both Ukraine and the United States and a significant step in the strategic partnership.
Ukraine will be assisted in the deployment of the ATS-GLOBAL Automated Targeting System, which is an effective risk analysis tool.
Appropriate hardware and software will facilitate the quality screening of travelers and the identification of persons at high risk of involvement in terrorist threats or cross-border crime, as well as the identification of international criminals.
The agreements reached also establish individual and organizational responsibilities for data security, updating risk profiles and creating new ones, information exchange and regulation of information relations.
