Kyiv, Washington Hold Defense Talks On Drones and Missile Systems
Ukraine is pushing to expand its defense cooperation with the United States, with officials in Kyiv highlighting negotiations over both the purchase of Ukrainian-made drones and potential U.S. supplies of long-range missile systems.
The Gaze reports this, referring to a post by Ukraine's National Security and Defense Council Secretary Rustem Umerov.
He said a Ukrainian delegation visited Washington this week for technical talks on the presidential “Drone Deal” initiative. The plan, he noted, goes beyond a procurement contract and envisions joint U.S.-Ukrainian production of unmanned systems.
“The main goal of the Ukrainian team’s visit was technical negotiations to prepare for the signing of an agreement on the purchase of Ukrainian drones. Its implementation also provides for the possibility of establishing joint Ukrainian-American production facilities,” Umerov said in a statement.
The delegation held meetings with Pentagon officials, members of Congress, and U.S. military representatives, presenting Ukraine’s battlefield experience with aerial, naval, and ground drones.
According to Umerov, the discussions also covered modernization of drone platforms and mechanisms such as the EU-funded PURL program, under which the U.S. procures weapons and ammunition for Ukraine.
“Ukraine is developing its own defense industry while at the same time expanding strategic cooperation with partners. This is a contribution to our victory and to strengthening the security of the whole of Europe,” Umerov concluded.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy underscored that Ukraine is also pressing for access to long-range weapons systems. Speaking ahead of the European Political Community Summit in Copenhagen, he described recent talks with Washington as “very productive” and said further progress hinges on U.S. President Donald Trump’s approval.
“We had a very fruitful dialogue with the United States. Everything will depend on the President’s decision,” Zelenskyy said, noting that discussions included both supply of long-range systems and intelligence support for potential strikes on Russia’s energy infrastructure.
The Ukrainian leader stressed that Kyiv will not remain passive in the face of Russian airstrikes targeting power plants. “If Russia threatens blackouts in Kyiv, it must understand that Moscow will face blackouts too,” he said.
As The Gaze previously reported, the United States is preparing to provide Ukraine with intelligence support for long-range missile strikes against Russia’s energy sector.