Zelensky Announces Drone Agreements at NATO Summit
President Volodymyr Zelensky announced on Tuesday that Ukraine had signed three additional "drone deals" with Denmark, Estonia, and the Netherlands, on the sidelines of the NATO summit in Ankara, Turkey. The agreements leverage Ukraine's extensive expertise gained from over four years of war with Russia, bringing the total number of such accords to nine.
Details of the Deals
Zelensky revealed the deals via social media posts, emphasizing that Kyiv had now secured nine drone accords overall. Ukraine has developed a highly sophisticated drone industry since the Russian invasion in February 2022, when its expertise in the sector was limited. The president has actively promoted these deals internationally, particularly in the Middle East, where Gulf countries were compelled this year to counter Iranian strikes.
In announcing the agreement with Denmark, Zelensky stated that it "opens up greater opportunities for joint defense production, the exchange of expertise, and transparency in weapons exports." He noted that Denmark was the first country to offer joint production in Ukraine, adding, "it is absolutely fair that Denmark will now have access to Ukrainian exports of weapons tested in war."
Strategic Context at the NATO Summit
In a post on X at the end of the first day of meetings, Zelensky asserted that Ukraine "rightfully belongs here" and reiterated that Kyiv's primary goal at the gathering was to "secure more air defense and stronger diplomatic positions." This comes after two attacks on the Ukrainian capital in the past week, with 19 people killed in Kyiv in the latest assault on Monday. Zelensky has highlighted the urgent need to boost defenses against Russian ballistic missiles.
