Zelenskiy Hopes for Major Drone Deal with U.S.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy expressed on Sunday his strong desire to finalize a significant contract for advanced military drones from the United States, emphasizing this could greatly impact the ongoing war.
This statement comes as Ukraine warns about the possibility of facing yet another air assault from Russia, marking the second consecutive week of such alerts.
Zelenskiy highlighted the potential advantages of merging Ukraine’s innovative drone technology—developed through its combat experiences—with the military strength of both the U.S. and Ukraine, calling it a “huge, huge” opportunity.
“American tech companies possess intriguing AI technologies that we currently lack. Conversely, we hold valuable battlefield experience that they don’t have,” he told CBS News’ “Face the Nation.”
“I think this collaboration could be hugely impactful and might even lead to the most powerful alliance globally.”
While Ukrainian officials claim a level of ongoing cooperation with the U.S. regarding drone technology, a comprehensive deal reflecting Zelenskiy’s vision has yet to materialize.
This war-torn nation aims to produce an impressive 7 million drones within this year, intending to utilize them across both air and maritime operations.
U.S. Army Secretary Pete Hegseth has announced initiatives to enhance U.S. unmanned capabilities and has indicated that lessons learned from Ukraine’s operations are invaluable.
Recently, Senator Richard Blumenthal and Representative Jim Himes from Connecticut engaged with Ukrainian representatives to talk about drones and related concerns.
Numerous military analysts assert that improvements in Ukraine’s drone capabilities have played a significant role in the country’s recent successes against Russia. Another critical factor is the Starlink service, which has disrupted Russian access to satellite internet.
As the situation continues to unfold, Ukraine braces for possible intense attacks from Russia.
“We anticipate that either tonight or tomorrow night, there will be a substantial offensive using drones, cruise missiles, and ballistic missiles. We are prepared,” Zelenskiy noted.
He advised the public to remain vigilant and cautious, especially children, urging the use of air raid shelters during this heightened threat period. While it’s difficult to predict with absolute certainty, he conveyed a strong likelihood of attacks.
Last weekend, Russia reportedly unleashed about 600 drones and 90 missiles on Ukraine.
“The main reason for their actions is due to their losses on the battlefield,” Zelenskiy remarked.
Over the Memorial Day weekend, Zelenskiy reached out to President Trump requesting additional Patriot missile systems. He emphasized that while Ukraine has developed robust drone defenses, it still requires further enhancements for ballistic missile protection.
The Ukrainian leader reiterated views from military officials that the next six months will be crucial for Kyiv.
“I believe there’s room for negotiation, as their losses will only compound each month, diminishing their battlefield initiative,” he stated. “This ultimately depends on the pressure exerted on President Putin.”
