Zelensky: We Can Produce 2000 Reconnaissance Drones Daily

SadaNews - Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stated that his country is capable of producing about 2000 reconnaissance drones daily, and can supply half of this number to its allies to help bolster their defenses.

In a speech before the British Parliament in London, Zelensky added that Kyiv has already sent 201 Ukrainian military experts in drone combat to the Middle East to help defend the region against Iranian "Shahed" drones, which have been used by Russia in its war against Ukraine. He emphasized that his country is currently working on developing underwater drones and others capable of operating in the oceans.

Zelensky praised Kyiv's expertise in combating drones, which has been honed during its ongoing four-year war with Russia, stating, "We do not want this terrorism practiced by the Iranian regime against its neighbors to succeed."

During his visit to the UK, Zelensky and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer signed a defense partnership agreement aimed at benefiting from Ukraine's expertise in countering drones.

Starmer's office issued a statement before the signing, stating: "The UK-Ukrainian agreement will enhance global defense capabilities in deploying low-cost, high-tech military equipment, including drones."

The agreement seeks to leverage Ukraine's experience in countering drones in its war with Russia, as well as boost the UK’s industrial base for "the manufacture and supply of drones and innovative capabilities."

A sum of £500,000 ($670,000) will also be allocated to fund the "Center of Excellence in Artificial Intelligence" to be integrated into the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense.

Implications

Starmer emphasized on Tuesday during his meeting with Zelensky at his official residence on Downing Street in London that "the focus must remain on Ukraine", despite the ongoing US-Israeli war with Iran.

Starmer stated, "I think it is critically important to clearly emphasize the need for the focus to remain on Ukraine. It is evident that there is a conflict ongoing in Iran and the Middle East, but we cannot overlook what is happening in Ukraine and the country’s need for our support."

London is the final stop on a tour that Zelensky undertook which included European capitals after a visit to Paris last week.

These visits come amidst an escalating conflict in the Middle East that casts a shadow over the ongoing four-year Russian war in Ukraine, with the United States striving to pressure Kyiv and Moscow to reach a long-awaited peace agreement.

However, the third round of trilateral talks has stalled due to the Iranian war, and no new date has been set for the negotiations. The US has also partially eased sanctions imposed on Moscow to calm oil prices, which surged sharply due to the conflict in the Middle East.