EU and Ukraine deepen cooperation on drones 

TT

Published 17:32

          

         Ursula von der Leyen was welcomed in Kiev by Ukrainian Deputy Foreign Minister Oleksandr                   Mishchenko. Photo: Ukrainian Ministry of Foreign Affairs/AP/TT

The EU Commission and Ukraine have entered into a new defense industrial partnership with the goal of joint drone production by the end of the year.

– We must combine our strengths. Together we can work towards joint production, said EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen during a visit to the Ukrainian capital Kiev on Wednesday.

In addition to joint drone production between EU countries and Ukraine, the cooperation also aims to produce anti-ballistic missile systems together by 2028, according to a press release.

The agreement also involves broader investments in defense manufacturing to, for example, remove obstacles to cooperation.

The drone track is about combining the EU's industrial capacity with Ukraine's innovation and practical know-how in drone technology.