Biden and Zelensky sign new deal to continue Ukraine support regardless of US election results

The US and Ukraine have signed a new 10-year bilateral security agreement at the G7 summit in Italy.

Both US president Joe Biden and Ukraine president Volodymyr Zelensky signed the deal, which looks to ensure the US will continue to help Ukraine increase its defences against Russia.

The deal also looks to ensure future US administrations will support Kyiv, regardless of who wins November’s election, according to officials.

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In a joint press conference with his Ukrainian counterpart, Mr Biden said the US's goal was to "strengthen Ukraine's credible defence and deterrence capabilities for the long term".

He also told Russian president Vladimir Putin the message from the G7 was:  "You cannot wait us out. You cannot divide us."

Mr Zelensky called the agreement "history".

"This is an agreement on security and thus on the protection of human life," he said.

The G7 also agreed to a $50bn loan for Ukraine, which would be backed by profits from frozen Russian assets.

The deal will also look to help Ukraine modernise its armed forces and continue working towards its eventual Nato membership.

In order to reach the Nato standard, the agreement says Ukraine needs "significant" military force and investment.

The agreement outlines that, if an armed attack or threat is launched again Ukraine, top officials from both countries will meet within 24 hours to determine what Kyiv needs to defend itself – and what response is required.

The US reiterates in the agreement their support for Ukraine's defence of its own territory at a time Russia pushes once again on the country's eastern flank.

Both countries will also share intelligence, train and hold exercises together under the new deal.

Former US president Donald Trump is currently leading Joe Biden in the polls, leading to the future of the deal to be slightly unclear.

Trump has called on Europe to do more to support Ukraine, as well as saying he would end the conflict in his first day in office.

When asked about what would happen to Ukraine if Trump won the election, Mr Zelensky said he does not think the popular support would change.

"If the people are with us, any leader will be with us in this struggle for freedom," he said.