In recent days, significant attention has been focused on a potential large-scale drone agreement between Ukraine and the United States. Ukraine's Defense Minister, Umerov, reported that a new drone supply deal is being prepared for signing, which was previously announced by President Zelensky. Meanwhile, some media indicated the Ukrainian delegation could not hold the planned meeting in the US due to a government shutdown. According to sources, American officials are temporarily postponing talks amid a lack of funding and state employee furloughs.
Nevertheless, the Ukrainian side hopes for continued contact. Alongside the drone discussions, there is interest in the possibility of supplying Ukraine with long-range missiles, in particular Tomahawk missiles. However, most Western and Ukrainian experts remain skeptical about the prospect, citing international missile technology controls that limit such transfers. The US may consider providing Ukraine with missiles of shorter range.
Alternatives under discussion include European-made missiles such as Taurus or Storm Shadow, as well as new US developments. Observers stress that acquiring modern weaponry depends heavily on international approvals and available manufacturing capacity.
Another topic is the export of surplus Ukrainian weapons. Experts note potential corruption risks in the arms export system and emphasize the need for transparent oversight, especially for high-tech armaments.
Amid continued Western support, the US has reportedly authorized sharing intelligence for strikes on Russian energy infrastructure. However, restrictions on delivering missiles with a range exceeding 300 km remain. As an alternative, Ukraine could receive modern combat drones and short-range missiles, with some European states procuring such weapons for supply to the Ukrainian military.
Overall, current discussions focus on finding effective modern weapon systems and maintaining defense support from Ukraine’s partners.
