Shaheen Commends Bilateral Security Agreement with Ukraine

(Washington, DC) – U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), a senior member of the U.S. Senate Armed Services and Foreign Relations Committees, Chair of the Europe and Regional Security Cooperation SFRC Subcommittee and Co-Chair of the bipartisan U.S. Senate NATO Observer Group, issued a statement commending today’s announcement from the Biden administration of the U.S. – Ukraine Bilateral Security Agreement:

“This Bilateral Security Agreement will provide long-term assurances to Ukraine to help define the future security relationship between the United States and Ukraine and better defend against ongoing Russian aggression. It makes clear an important point: the United States and Ukraine stand together. The United States will not waver in its support of Ukraine as it continues its fight for democracy and freedom, and we will be there to support Ukraine as it works to rebuild,” said Shaheen.

Shaheen continued, “A strong and free Ukraine and a prosperous Europe are in the best economic and security interests of the United States. I also commend the other countries that have announced separate, mutually reinforcing bilateral security agreements with Ukraine. Our European allies and others in the international community continue to step up and provide Ukraine with much-needed military and humanitarian support to ensure they can win the war and win the future. This agreement will also support Ukraine’s preparation for NATO membership once it meets the necessary requirements. I look forward to promoting further cooperation with Ukraine and our European allies at the upcoming NATO Summit in Washington.”

Senator Shaheen has long advocated for additional aid to Ukraine and comprehensive legislation to address our national security interests. Senator Shaheen and Senator Tillis, co-chairs of the U.S. Senate NATO Observer Group, recently wrote an op-ed in MSNBC reflecting on the 80th anniversary of D-Day, highlighting the need to recommit to strengthening NATO and combatting authoritarianism at home and abroad. In April, Shaheen spoke on the Senate floor urging action on the national security supplemental, which was passed and signed into law. She joined with her colleagues to introduce bipartisan legislation to reauthorize the Ukraine Democracy Defense Lend-Lease Act, which would allow the President to enter into lend-lease agreements with Ukraine to provide additional categories of military equipment to protect civilians. Earlier this year, Shaheen penned an editorial in the Boston Globe, urging her colleagues to support this agreement and continue to supply Ukraine with the aid they need to continue to repel Putin’s illegal invasion.

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