WASHINGTON — Ukrainian defense and national security officials are traveling to Washington to finalize details of a proposed drone agreement with the Trump administration, sources tell The Post.
From Tuesday to Friday, representatives from Ukraine’s Ministry of Defense and National Security and Defense Council will collaborate with their American counterparts, working towards solidifying a defense pact that aims to deepen ties between the two nations.
“As a result of negotiations between the presidents of Ukraine and the United States, a Ukrainian delegation will be in Washington from Sept. 29 to Oct. 2 for technical discussions regarding the drone deal,” noted Ukraine’s new Ambassador to the US, Olga Stefanishyna.
This meeting follows a productive encounter between President Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky during last week’s United Nations General Assembly.
“I believe that after today’s meeting, we cannot afford to waste any time,” top adviser to Zelensky, Andriy Yermak, told The Post following their discussion on September 23.
Although specific details regarding the potential drone deal are limited, last week, Zelensky informed reporters in New York that the US and Ukraine were collaborating through technical teams to reach an agreement concerning drones that the United States intends to purchase directly from Ukraine.
Amidst a full-scale Russian invasion beginning February 2022, Ukraine has emerged as a leader in drone technology, establishing a robust unmanned aircraft industry.
Currently, numerous manufacturers are producing millions of drones and counter-drone systems, which are actively deployed to counter Russian assaults and are continuously updated for efficiency.
This potential deal could significantly enhance America’s military capabilities, with officials and drone specialists from both sides of the Atlantic noting that US technology lags behind that of China and Russia.
In the long term, Ukraine’s growing drone sector might encourage US companies to reduce their dependency on Chinese technology, as industry leaders have indicated to The Post.
Historically, domestic drone production has concentrated on high-value targets while neglecting the high-volume technology that is becoming increasingly important in modern conflict.
In July, Zelensky shared with The Post that he and Trump had been negotiating a drone “mega deal” aimed at mutually enhancing both nations’ aerial technologies, with Kyiv offering to share its insights gained from its three-year conflict with Russia.
“The U.S. needs this technology, and it should be part of your defense arsenal,” Zelensky remarked at the time. “I believe this is truly a win-win situation, as they say.”
The White House and Pentagon have not yet responded to requests for comment.
