'You cannot divide us': Biden to Putin after defence pact with Ukraine

US President Joe Biden and Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskiy signed a ten-year security deal to support and strengthen Ukraine's defence.

“Our goal is to strengthen Ukraine's credible defence and deterrence capabilities for the long term,” Biden said, addressing a joint press conference along with Zelenskiy, after signing the deal during the G7 summit on Thursday.

He also sent a clear message to Russian President Vladimir Putin: “You cannot wait us out. You cannot divide us.”

Moreover, the wealthy G7 nations pledged a $50 billion loan for Ukraine. The loan money will be spent to develop its military and defence industry to NATO standards.

Zelenskiy described the agreement as historic, stressing, “This is an agreement on security and thus on the protection of human life.”

Ukraine has long sought NATO membership. The agreement says that in the event of an armed attack or threat against Ukraine, top US and Ukrainian officials will meet within 24 hours to discuss a response and necessary defence measures. This deal stressed US support for Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, especially amid renewed Russian offensives in eastern Ukraine.

The agreement also includes plans to develop Ukraine’s defence industry, expand its military, and facilitate intelligence sharing, joint training, military education programmes, and combined military exercises between the two nations.