Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said that the United States and Ukrainian governments are “working on a bilateral security agreement” that would effectively send aid to Ukraine over the next ten years.
In a statement, Zelensky said he had been in discussion with House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY), thanking “him and all the congressmen for their support” of Ukraine and for the $61 billion aid package out of a $95 billion foreign aid package.
Zelensky said Jeffries had “emphasized the need for Patriot systems.”
This isn’t the first time Zelensky has begged for more American-made Patriot missile systems to be sent to Ukraine.
According to The Washington Post, Ukraine currently has three Patriot systems, one from the U.S. and two reportedly from Germany.
Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin revealed on Friday that the U.S. would send more Patriot systems as part of an additional $6 billion foreign aid package.
“Also, our teams, Ukraine and the United States, are currently working on a bilateral security agreement, and we are already working on a specific text,” Zelensky said.
“Our goal is to make this agreement the strongest of all. We are discussing the specific foundations of our security and cooperation,” Zelensky added.
“We are also working on fixing specific levels of support for this year and for the next ten years, including armed support, financial, political, and joint arms production.”
“The agreement should be truly exemplary and reflect the strength of American leadership.”
“I am grateful to both our team and the team of the American side for the progress in drafting the agreement.”
Meanwhile, British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak vowed to send an additional £500 million in foreign aid to Ukraine on top of the $61 billion in foreign
Last week, Republican Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell said he “apologized” to Zelenskyy for failing to send the millions of tax dollars in aid to the country “fast enough.”
“Well, one of the things I apologized for is [that] it’s taken too long,” McConnell said.
“If you go back to the beginning of this administration. Even though I support it obviously, the supplemental requests worked hard to get Republican votes for it.”
“This all started with the precipitous withdrawal from Afghanistan,” he said.
“It’s like sending out a green light to all of the rogue regimes around the world that the Americans are going home.”
“Number two, not giving the Ukrainians what they need soon enough,” he continued.
“It didn’t just start with this administration, I mean the Obama administration sent them meals ready to eat,” McConnell added.
READ: McConnell Blames Trump, Carlson for Delaying Funds to Ukraine
