Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Sunday that drone experts from kyiv will be in the Middle East “next week” as he seeks American air defense missiles in exchange for drone expertise. Ukraine is facing a shortage of expensive US PAC-3 air defense munitions and kyiv fears a longer war in the Middle East could further disrupt supplies. Asked exactly how he wants to help the United States and its Gulf allies repel the drones, Zelensky said: “It is too early to say anything more at this moment,” adding: “I think that next week, when the experts are on the ground, they will examine the situation and help.”
Zelenskyy said he and Dutch Prime Minister Rob Jetten discussed joint arms production during his visit to kyiv. on Sunday, highlighting Ukraine’s unique experience in defending against Iranian-made drones used by Russia. “We would very much like this to be an opportunity for both sides,” Zelenskyy said at a news conference after a meeting with Jetten. “It is important that we produce weapons together with the Netherlands, and we will certainly continue and expand this joint work,” Zelenskyy said, adding that they had discussed investments and possible production volumes in detail. The Netherlands is a major donor to the PURL program through which Europe buys American weapons for Ukraine, to which it has so far contributed $870 million.
Demand for Ukrainian drone defense technology could lead to new defense partnerships for kyiv, but it could also mean fewer drones for Ukraine itself. in a market on the limit, he says Shaun WalkerThe Guardian’s correspondent in central and eastern Europe. Ukraine has significant experience combating the Shahed drones now used by Iran to attack its Gulf neighbors, something Volodymyr Zelenskyy has publicly said he is willing to share in exchange for help against Russia. “We are willing to help and we hope that our people also receive the necessary support,” he said over the weekend. However, the White House’s attention is now elsewhere, perhaps taking momentum away from peace talks with Moscow, and the attack on Iran appears to reinforce Vladimir Putin’s worldview, in which stronger nations can attack their weaker adversaries with impunity.
Global arms flows have increased by almost 10% in the past five years, and Europe has more than tripled imports following the war in Ukraine.a report showed on Monday. The increase can be explained, at least in part, by the fact that European countries are buying weapons to supply to Ukraine and because they are trying to increase their own military capabilities against a perceived threat from Russia, the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) said. While arms imports to Europe have not yet reached Cold War levels, “Europe is now the largest recipient of arms (globally),” Mathew George, director of SIPRI’s Arms Transfers Programme, told AFP.
Russia’s Defense Ministry said on Sunday that its air defense units had intercepted 234 drones over various parts of central and southern Russia. over a nine-hour period, including six drones bound for Moscow. The ministry reported no damage or casualties during the period, which lasted from 2:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m.
