'We will not waver': Western Allies Offer Ukraine Security Assurances As Biden Hits Out At Putin

Washington D.C./12.07.23/Turan:   The United States said on Wednesday that it would 'welcome' countries who are "willing to step up to the plate" to help secure Ukraine’s long-term future. TURAN's Washington correspondent reports from the State Department.

The move came just hours after the leaders of the world's major industrial democracies, on the sidelines of a NATO summit in Vilnius, presented a plan to organize bilateral, long-term security commitments to help Ukraine fend off Russia’s aggression.

A declaration by the G7 group launched a framework for bilateral negotiations to provide military and financial support, intelligence sharing and a promise of immediate steps if Russia should attack again.

"The focus of this effort that was announced today is how we can put Ukraine on an appropriate long-term footing to defend itself against not just the Russian aggression that they’re suffering now, but future Russian aggression," Matthew Miller, the State Department's spokesperson, told a daily briefing when responding to TURAN's questions.

"We have already had other countries reach out to us and say they would like to join that [G7] statement and be part of this process going forward," Miller added.

Speaking at the end of the two-day NATO meeting on Russia's doorstep, President Joe Biden said "our support will last long into the future. It's a powerful statement of our commitment to Ukraine."

He also highlighted that Putin had badly underestimated the resolve of the U.S.-led military alliance. "NATO is stronger, more energized and yes, more united than ever in its history. Indeed, more vital to our shared future. It didn't happen by accident. It wasn't inevitable."

The U.S. President used his last moments in Vilnius to rally NATO allies and the world’s democracies to stick together, boasting that democracies who champion freedom against authoritarianism’s creep have held strong, even in the face of the largest land war in Europe since WWII.

“The defense of freedom is not the work of a day or a year. It's the calling of our lifetime," he said. "We’re steeled for the struggle ahead. Our unity will not falter, I promise you."

The U.S. President also used the opportunity to offer a clarion call for more cooperation among nations to address challenges like climate change, poverty and economic inequality.

“The choices we make now are going to shape the direction of our world for decades to come. With nations working together with common cause, we can answer these questions,” Biden said.

Alex Raufoglu