Ukraine is already transferring drones to the US for testing, but the Drone Deal has not yet been signed - Zelenskyy
Kyiv • UNN
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy reported positive progress in negotiations on the Drone Deal with the US, although the agreement has not yet been signed. The American side is already receiving Ukrainian drones for testing.
Ukraine and the United States have not yet signed the Drone Deal, but there is positive progress on this issue. After all, the American side is already receiving various types of drones and other technological solutions from Ukraine for testing. This was stated by President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy during a conversation with journalists on July 9, reports UNN.
Details
Journalists asked Zelenskyy whether there is progress on a possible billion-dollar agreement between Ukraine and the United States in the field of drones and what is currently holding back its signing.
First of all, I believe there is positive progress. Of course, the drone deal between Ukraine and America has not been signed yet, but there are some documents that have already been signed so that the American side can receive from Ukraine various types that the United States of America is interested in for testing
According to the President, the United States is already receiving aerial and maritime drones from Ukraine, as well as other technological solutions.
They are receiving this from us. These include aerial drones, maritime drones, and other technological things. And after that, we will move to the next stage, to the Drone Deal
Zelenskyy emphasized that Ukrainian developments are currently undergoing testing, and Kyiv is receiving positive feedback from the American side.
The fact that testing is currently underway and we are receiving very positive feedback is a fact
Context
Ukraine is actively promoting the Drone Deal format with partners as one of the areas of long-term defense-industrial cooperation.
Earlier, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy explained that such agreements could cover joint development and production of drones, missiles, electronic warfare systems, investments in defense infrastructure, as well as the exchange of combat experience that Ukraine gained during the full-scale war against russia.
In particular, in April 2026, the Ukrainian leader stated that the Drone Deal envisages the creation of a "unique defense system," which includes, among other things, drones for repelling massive attacks, air defense and EW systems.
And in June, Zelenskyy reported that 15 NATO countries and 12 non-Alliance countries had already been involved in the Drone Deal format.
Ukraine is also concluding separate bilateral agreements with partners. In particular, on July 7, Reuters reported that Ukraine signed three more agreements in the field of drones — with Denmark, Estonia, and the Netherlands, bringing the total number of such agreements to nine.
For the United States, a potential agreement with Ukraine is important as an opportunity to gain access to Ukrainian unmanned technologies tested in real combat conditions. For Ukraine, such an agreement could be a path to scaling up production, attracting investment, and deepening defense cooperation with Washington.