Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky will meet with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer in London on March 17. The main goal of the talks will be to finalize a new, expanded agreement on defense and industrial partnership between the two countries, which includes joint production and supply of drones and the implementation of innovative military technologies.
This is reported by Finway
Deepening Defense-Industrial Ties
According to information from the British government, the leaders intend to agree on a declaration of cooperation in the development of modern unmanned systems and other defense technologies. A particular emphasis is placed on utilizing Ukraine’s experience alongside the strong industrial base of the United Kingdom to develop new defense capabilities.
As part of the upcoming agreement, Ukraine and the United Kingdom will also consider the possibility of involving third countries in joint projects in the field of defense-industrial and technological partnership. This opens up prospects for expanding international cooperation in ensuring security.
Investments in Innovation and Response to Global Challenges
Prime Minister Keir Starmer emphasized the importance of deepening cooperation with partners to ensure stability:
“We must work with our partners and allies to ensure security at home and abroad, and the new partnership with Ukraine will do just that. Drones, electronic warfare, and rapid innovations on the battlefield are now central to national and economic security, and this is only intensified by the conflict in the Middle East.”
The UK government also announced funding for the establishment of a new artificial intelligence center at the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense, which will facilitate the implementation of modern digital solutions in the military sector.
The new cooperation is seen as a continuation of the century-long partnership between the two countries, which was reaffirmed during the UK Prime Minister’s visit to Kyiv in January 2025. These agreements are expected to strengthen Ukraine’s defense capabilities and allow allies to respond more effectively to the actions of Russia and its allies worldwide.
Additionally, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte is expected to arrive in London for talks with Starmer and Zelensky. The meeting will discuss issues related to ensuring sustainable peace for Ukraine, the role of the “Coalition of the Willing” in the event of a ceasefire, and the necessity of maintaining sanctions pressure on Russia.
As of now, there has been no official information released by President Zelensky’s office regarding the visit. According to media reports, after the meetings in London, Zelensky plans to visit Spain for talks with Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, and then head to Brussels, where a European Council meeting will take place on March 19 and 20.