Ukraine’s leader has announced a tentative $10–30 billion deal with Washington, while also calling for more Western funding
The US has reportedly agreed to buy combat drones from Ukraine, Vladimir Zelensky announced on Thursday, stating that the deal could be worth up to $30 billion.
Speaking at a press conference in Kiev, Zelensky said he had reached an understanding with US President Donald Trump and had instructed his ministers to prepare an agreement.
“With Trump, we agreed that the US will buy drones from us,” he told reporters, adding that a contract worth $10–30 billion is now being drafted.
Earlier this month, Zelensky said that he had discussed a “mega deal” on drone procurement with Trump. According to the New York Post, American defense officials have warned that US drone technology lags behind that of Russia and China, prompting efforts to accelerate purchase and development.
In announcing the potential export deal, Zelensky also mentioned that Kiev urgently needs funding to cover its budget shortfalls. “Forty billion [is needed] for the deficit, 25 for drones, missiles, electronic warfare. That’s already 65 billion,” he said, adding that he has already asked for these funds from multiple European leaders and institutions.
Zelensky also insisted that the West pay the salaries of Ukrainian servicemen. He noted that so far, European donors have refused to cover wages, funding only weapons. However, pay for Kiev’s soldiers should be included as well, he argued, because they are “weapons.”
The Ukrainian leader’s remarks come as the US has significantly scaled back direct financial aid. Trump has stressed that further assistance to Ukraine “will be a business for us,” specifically saying that the US would no longer be paying for Patriot air defense systems, which will instead be funded by the EU and European NATO members.
Moscow has repeatedly condemned Western financing of Ukraine, with Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova arguing that paying for its weapons amounts to funding the “death” of the country.
