Zelenskiy says US, Ukraine moving forward on joint drone production

President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said in an interview broadcast on Friday that cooperation between Kyiv and Washington on drones would include ​a U.S. factory to produce the unmanned aerial vehicles using ‌Ukraine's advanced technology.

Zelenskiy, interviewed by U.S. right-wing blogger Laura Loomer, said Ukraine wanted to build quickly on an initial agreement on drones clinched with Washington.

Zelenskiy said ​drone technology was undergoing constant change, with Ukrainian drones ​now able to operate over 3,000 km (1,800 miles) with the ⁠prospect of even longer distances.

Ukraine has excelled at drone innovation ​as it has pursued asymmetrical warfare against Russia during their four-year-old conflict, ​and Kyiv has shared its advances with some allies.

"Important technology. This is what we have. And America has great technology. Our drone deal is win-win," Zelenskiy ​said in the interview made available on X. "We will build a ​great factory in the United States. We want to (have) lines of production," he ‌said.

In ⁠Washington, a source familiar with the matter said details of an agreement were still being worked out ahead of Zelenskiy's talks with U.S. President Donald Trump, scheduled for Tuesday, according to a White House official.

Reuters, in a ​report from Kyiv ​this week quoting ⁠a source familiar with the matter, said Ukraine had agreed to export drones to the United States ​to participate in the Pentagon's Drone Dominance programme.

Six Ukrainian ​companies have ⁠received permission to export about 100 drones each, the source said, speaking on condition of anonymity.

Other media outlets in Ukraine reported that the ⁠two ​sides had signed a statement of intent ​that lays the groundwork for a partnership on joint production.

-Reuters