Overview
- Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Keir Starmer signed the Ukraine‑UK Enhanced Security and Defence Industrial Collaboration Declaration in London to manufacture and supply drones using Ukraine’s frontline expertise and Britain’s industrial base.
- Downing Street said the partnership will also work with third countries to strengthen defenses against the spread of low‑cost, high‑tech weapons such as drones.
- The UK will contribute £500,000 to establish an AI Centre of Excellence inside Ukraine’s Ministry of Defence to integrate artificial intelligence for battlefield advantage.
- Starmer told Zelenskyy that international focus must stay on Ukraine so Russia does not profit from the Iran war or eased oil sanctions, reiterating that UK support remains firm.
- Addressing Parliament, Zelenskyy said 201 Ukrainian anti‑drone experts are operating in the UAE, Qatar and Saudi Arabia, with teams heading to Kuwait; Ukrainian government reporting also says a joint statement confirms at least £3 billion a year from the UK through 2030/31.