Ukraine and the United Kingdom will deepen their defence cooperation by jointly producing long-range drones, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced on Monday following talks with Prime Minister Keir Starmer in London. The initiative aims to force Russia to 'think about peace' and stop its ongoing attacks on Ukraine.
Speaking at the Chatham House thinktank, Zelenskyy said both countries would begin co-producing 'long-range drones' soon, though he declined to provide further details. The drones are expected to be used against strategic military targets inside Russia. 'We will do it together. I’m happy about these strong relations between both of our countries,' he said, thanking the UK and previous governments for their support.
The announcement comes as Ukraine continues to develop its drone capabilities, having become the world's leading producer of drones. Earlier this month, Ukraine's SBU security agency carried out a covert drone attack on five Russian airbases, destroying about 20 Russian bomber aircraft. Zelenskyy described Russia, Iran, and North Korea as a 'coalition of murderers', accusing them of spreading terror.
Zelenskyy's visit to London followed a large Russian air raid on Kyiv involving 352 drones and North Korean ballistic missiles, which killed at least 14 people and damaged civilian apartment blocks. He called for maximum political and diplomatic coordination to increase pressure on Russia and end the war. The talks with Starmer also covered sanctions and the Trump administration, which has paused US weapons deliveries to Kyiv.
Zelenskyy is scheduled to attend this week's NATO summit in The Hague, where he may meet US President Donald Trump. Since Trump's return to the White House, Russia has intensified its aerial attacks on Ukraine, refusing a 30-day ceasefire offer. Monday's strikes hit residential areas, hospitals, and sports infrastructure, with the worst damage in Kyiv's Shevchenkivskyi district.
