L'UE e l'Ucraina hanno firmato un accordo per la produzione congiunta di droni, a Kiev anche Janša

On Monday, July 15, 2026, the European Union and Ukraine signed a defense agreement in Kyiv aimed at joint production of drones. The deal was announced during the fifth Ukraine-Eastern Europe Summit, attended by leaders from several Eastern European countries, including Slovenia’s Prime Minister Janez Janša and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. The summit focused on further political, economic, and security support for Ukraine, which has been under Russian aggression for over four years. The agreement outlines a partnership between the EU and Ukraine to produce unmanned aerial vehicles, combining Europe's industrial and technological capabilities with Ukraine's practical experience gained through its war against Russia. According to von der Leyen, Europe has advanced industrial and technological infrastructure, while Ukraine has unique knowledge in developing and using drone systems. The agreement allows for the production and temporary storage of drones within EU territory, protecting them from potential Russian attacks. Ukraine currently produces around ten million drones annually and aims to increase this number significantly in the future. The European Commission plans to expand cooperation with Ukraine in other areas of defense industry, including the production of ballistic and anti-ballistic missile systems, though specific details remain unclear. During the summit, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky emphasized Ukraine's role in changing battlefield conditions through the use of drones. He stated that Ukraine has fundamentally altered the situation on the front lines. The funding for the project will come from two sources: a €90 billion loan from the EU to Ukraine and approximately €10 billion available under the EU's defense program SAFE. Prime Minister Janša met separately with Zelensky and Moldova’s President Maia Sandu. He also participated in ceremonies marking Ukraine’s Day of Statehood, laying flowers in memory of fallen Ukrainian soldiers. Earlier, Janša had announced that Slovenia would allocate $50 million for military aid to Ukraine this year, reaffirming Slovenia’s support for continued assistance to Ukraine. Serbian President Aleksander Vučić attended the summit, marking his first visit to Ukraine since the start of the Russian invasion in 2022. Serbia officially supports Ukraine’s territorial integrity but maintains close political and economic ties with Russia, drawing particular attention to his presence at the summit. Other attendees included leaders or representatives from Romania, Croatia, Albania, Moldova, North Macedonia, and Montenegro. The summit in Kyiv continues a series of meetings held in Athens, Tirana, Dubrovnik, and Odessa, focusing on strengthening Europe and cooperation in security and defense. Von der Leyen received the Order of Europe, an honor established by Ukraine for those supporting the country’s defense of independence and its accession to the EU. She expressed gratitude for the recognition and emphasized the importance of investing in Ukraine, Europe, and their shared security and future. Ukraine’s Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov noted that agreements with the European Commissioner for Defense, Andrius Kubilius, would provide Ukraine access to €300 million in funds and participation in European programs to strengthen the defense industry. This collaboration aims to build a safer Europe by combining European resources with Ukraine’s proven technology. The summit highlights ongoing efforts to bolster Ukraine’s defense capabilities amid persistent Russian threats. As the conflict continues, the EU and Ukraine seek to enhance strategic partnerships to ensure mutual security and resilience.