The meeting of presidents was postponed several times, yet finally, it took place. And judging from the document, it can be considered successful. The text of the statement was published on the websites of Ukraine's President's Office and the White House.Instead of the scheduled one hour, talks between @ZelenskyyUa & @POTUS lasted two hours. Presidents took our relations to a new level. We have a joint statement and a lot of work for me & @SecBlinken to implement it within the renewed US-Ukraine Strategic Partnership Commission. https://t.co/0E24YSoms8
— Dmytro Kuleba (@DmytroKuleba) September 1, 2021
Main points
The main points of the statement are the following:- Ukraine and the United States will revive the work of the Strategic Partnership Commission. Its renewed Charter will be signed by the heads of diplomatic missions of the two states in autumn;
- The United States supports Ukraine's resistance to Russian aggression, its sovereignty, and its territorial integrity;
- The United States supports Ukraine's Euro-Atlantic aspirations, in particular those regarding the European Union and NATO;
- The United States supports scientific and technical cooperation with Ukraine and continues to provide assistance to Ukraine in defense needs;
- Cooperation in the areas of cybersecurity, space exploration, and nuclear security, including nuclear disarmament, is being strengthened. The agreement on non-proliferation of nuclear weapons and assistance to Ukraine in its elimination is extended for another seven years;
- Ukraine must continue to reform the judiciary and promote human rights. The United States will provide financial assistance to ensure these reforms;
- Ukraine and the United States will counter climate threats;
- Ukraine and the United States will oppose Russia's launch of Nord Stream-2;
- Ukraine will receive $12.5 mn from the United States to fight the COVID-19 pandemic and $45 million in aid to rebuild Donbas.
Full text
Thirty years after the restoration of Ukraine’s independence, the bonds between the United States and Ukraine are stronger than ever. Our shared values and commitment to a Europe that is whole, free, democratic, and at peace provide the basis for our strategic partnership. We are working together to address shared global challenges, including energy security and diversification, climate change, and the COVID-19 pandemic. Our relationship serves as a cornerstone for security, democracy, and human rights in Ukraine and the broader region. We are committed to Ukraine’s implementation of the deep and comprehensive reforms necessary to fulfill its European and Euro-Atlantic aspirations. We are also united in our commitment to Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity in the face of continued Russian aggression. Ukraine’s success is central to the global struggle between democracy and autocracy. As we face this challenge together, we stand shoulder-to-shoulder, optimistic about our ambitious common goals to advance democracy, deliver justice, enhance prosperity, and bolster security for Ukraine. Ukraine has achieved progress in building institutions with integrity and intends, with US support, to continue to counter corruption, ensure accountability, safeguard human rights, realize the aspirations of its citizens, and create favorable conditions for attracting foreign direct investment and driving growth. The United States and Ukraine are reinvigorating the Strategic Partnership Commission (SPC), reoriented and resourced to meet 21st century challenges. To memorialize the elevated status of our partnership, the US Secretary of State and the Ukrainian Foreign Minister intend to approve a new Charter at the SPC’s meeting in Washington this fall.Trending Now
Background
The Charter on Strategic Partnership between Ukraine and the USA was signed in 2008. It affirmed the strategic importance of bilateral relations between the countries and Ukraine's democratic and Eurointegrative course, as well as sent a signal to Russia to abandon its ambitions to dominate Ukraine. Regular meetings of the Strategic Partnership Commission are convened to plot forward the path for cooperation. Its last meeting in 2018 resulted in the creation of three new bilateral working groups focused on Security and Countering Russian Aggression; Rule of Law and Humanitarian Issues; and Economy and Energy.No NATO plan for Ukraine. What Zelenskyy and Biden promised — and did not promise — each other