Trump and Zelenskyy Sign Combat Drone Technology Agreement

The United States and Ukraine signed an agreement to collaborate on combat drone technology following a meeting between President Donald Trump and President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. The deal allows Ukrainian-made weaponry to be sent to the U.S. for military testing and evaluation. U.S. officials are seeking to leverage Ukraine's practical innovations in drone warfare to address a munitions shortage resulting from a six-month conflict with Iran.

Ukraine has established itself as a leader in drone warfare and has previously shared expertise with Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates to counter Iranian equipment. Concurrent with the deal, Volodymyr Zelenskyy reported that Ukrainian forces targeted Iranian warships and cargo vessels in the Caspian Sea used for military shipments to Russia. Zelenskyy also alleged that Russia provided satellite intelligence to Iran to help target U.S. military facilities in the Middle East.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi condemned the strikes on Iranian vessels, calling them a violation of the UN Charter carried out at the behest of Israel to draw Europe into the conflict.