Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is set to visit Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer in the UK on Tuesday to agree a new defence partnership aimed at tackling cheap attack drones.
Downing Street said the deal would bring together “Ukrainian expertise and the UK’s industrial base” to manufacture and supply drones and other capabilities.
The two leaders are also expected to discuss further support for Ukraine against Russia’s full-scale invasion, now in its fourth year.
Their meeting comes as the US-Israeli war with Iran enters a third week, during which US President Donald Trump has criticised the UK and other countries over the extent of their response to the conflict.
Under the partnership between the UK and Ukraine, closer co-operation in the defence industries will also be sought with third countries as part of efforts to bolster international security.
Britain will also give £500,000 to fund an AI centre of excellence in Kyiv.
In a statement ahead of the meeting, UK Defence Secretary John Healey said it was “increasingly important that we build on Ukrainian expertise and innovation”.
Sir Keir said: “Drones, electronic warfare and rapid battlefield innovation are now central to national and economic security, and that has only been further magnified by the conflict in the Middle East.
Zelensky is currently on a tour of European capitals to shore up support and keep his conflict at the forefront of allies’ minds.
Credit: bbc.com
