EU, Ukraine Officially Sign Drone Deal

Ukraine and the EU have signed a Drone Deal focused on common security, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced during Ukraine’s Statehood Day celebrations in Kyiv.

According to state media outlet Ukrinform, von der Leyen said on Wednesday that the Drone Deal is meant to send a clear signal that now is the time to invest in Ukraine and in Europe’s security.

Ver der Leyen, speaking alongside President Volodymyr Zelensky, noted the uniqueness of Ukraine’s combat experience and the knowledge that the country gained while working with drones and anti-drone systems against Russia’s invasion.

“Ukraine has largely gone from a buyer to a supplier of a security network for Europe. It also implies a new way of cooperation. That is why I am happy to start a new partnership between the EU and Ukraine in the defense industry together with you, Volodymyr,” von der Leyen said.

In early July, Zelensky and von der Leyen discussed Ukraine’s European integration and the Drone Deal at a meeting during the NATO International Summit in Ankara, Turkey.

Zelensky called for Ukraine to begin work on all EU negotiation clusters without delay to maintain the high momentum of the EU accession process, but paid special attention to the Drone Deal.

Multiple Eastern European leaders in Kyiv

On Wednesday, European leaders, including von der Leyen, Romanian President Nicușor Dan, Moldovan President Maia Sandu, and Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić, arrived in Kyiv, as Ukraine marked Statehood Day and the Day of the Baptism of Kyivan Rus’-Ukraine.

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Von der Leyen announced her visit on X, describing it as her 11th trip to Ukraine since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion.

“It’s a special moment. Ukraine has built a strong military momentum. The tide is turning,” she wrote.

Von der Leyen said the visit would focus on launching new initiatives to integrate Ukraine’s and Europe’s defense industries to boost joint weapons production, and on discussions on Ukraine’s EU accession and preparations for the upcoming winter.

EU accession progress

On Tuesday, Ukraine officially opened Cluster 6, “External Relations,” in its EU accession negotiations, after Hungary lifted its veto. The development was confirmed by Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha and EU Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos.

Kos said the cluster covers external relations, foreign policy, security, and defense – areas where Ukraine is “especially strong.” She noted that Ukraine’s battlefield experience and defense innovation make it an important contributor to Europe’s future security architecture.

Additionally, Sybiha said Ukraine has achieved 99% alignment of its foreign policy with the EU and expressed confidence that negotiations would advance quickly.

However, Ukraine must still complete several legislative and policy reforms before the cluster can be closed, with Kyiv’s goal of completing accession negotiations by 2027 and joining the EU by 2030.