Ukraine and the US are conducting detailed negotiations regarding a Washington investment deal in Kiev's drone manufacturing industry. This information was confirmed by Ukrainian Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko at a press conference with new ministers in the capital on July 18.
The deal is expected to include expanding Ukraine's domestic drone production to include investment from the US, Ms. Svyrydenko said. In addition, the US will also buy a large batch of Ukrainian-made drones.
Ms. Svyrydenko added that the political decision on the deal was unanimously agreed between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and US President Donald Trump. Currently, officials from both sides are continuing to discuss details to reach an official signing.
President Zelensky also said this week that he and President Trump are considering an agreement in which Washington will buy drones that have been tested in the conflict in Ukraine, in exchange for Kiev to buy weapons from the US.
The Ukrainian government under Ms. Svyrydenko is expected to strengthen relations with the Trump administration, especially in the context of Washington increasingly criticizing Moscow since Russia increased airstrikes on Ukraine.
Ms. Svyrydenko is a familiar face in Washington, having successfully negotiated a high-level deal to give the US preferential access to Ukraine's mineral resources, serving a reconstruction fund.
At the press conference, Ukrainian Economic Minister Oleksiy Sobolev said that the board of directors of the US-Ukraine mutual fund will meet for the first time before the end of the summer.
