U.S. president Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky are reportedly exploring a potential defense agreement that could see Washington purchase battlefield-tested Ukrainian drones in exchange for Kyiv acquiring American-made weapons.
Zelensky revealed the proposal during an interview with the New York Post, describing the arrangement as a “mega deal” that would serve the interests of both countries by advancing their respective aerial capabilities.
“The people of America need this technology, and you need to have it in your arsenal,” Zelensky said, referring to Ukraine’s long-range drones that have demonstrated the ability to strike targets up to 1,300 kilometers inside Russian territory.
According to Zelensky, the proposed exchange is part of a broader conversation around enhancing cooperation between U.S. and Ukrainian defense sectors. He emphasized that unmanned aerial systems (UAS) have been instrumental in enabling Ukraine to resist Russia’s invasion, now in its fourth year.
“We will be ready to share this experience with America and other European partners,” he added.
Ukraine is reportedly also in ongoing talks with Denmark, Norway, and Germany about expanding drone-related cooperation. Meanwhile, on July 17, Zelensky told Ukraine’s Parliament that future agreements with the U.S. were being prepared to further strengthen the country’s defense posture.
The discussions come as the 2026 U.S. defense budget includes increased funding for small drone systems, influenced in part by Ukrainian successes in the use of unmanned systems for both reconnaissance and strike missions.
Zelensky’s comments follow a recent visit by U.S. Special Envoy for Ukraine Keith Kellogg to Kyiv, where he reviewed Ukrainian-made military equipment alongside Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha.
Post Image Credit: Ukrainian presidential press service/AFP
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