Fresh from a meeting with US President Donald Trump at the UN General Assembly, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has announced that a delegation from Kyiv will travel to the US for crucial follow-up talks. The primary agenda for these meetings, scheduled for late September or early October, will be the practical implementation of a new agreement to purchase long-range weapons.
Zelensky stated that the broad contours of the deal were agreed upon with President Trump, and the upcoming technical meetings are designed to iron out the specifics. This new push for advanced long-range systems is intended to build upon an existing $90 billion aid agreement and provide Ukraine with a decisive military advantage. Details on the exact weapon systems being considered were not shared.
The current Ukrainian strategy for deep strikes relies heavily on its own fleet of drones, which have been used to hit military and energy targets inside Russia. While effective, these drones have limitations. The acquisition of sophisticated, US-made long-range missiles would offer greater speed, destructive power, and the ability to overcome more advanced air defenses.
The collaboration is also set to include a notable technology transfer in the other direction. According to Zelensky, technical teams from both nations will also begin work on the potential purchase of Ukrainian drones by the US. This move acknowledges Ukraine’s battlefield-proven expertise in unmanned aerial systems and opens up a new avenue for its defense industry.
Alongside military matters, economic cooperation is also on the agenda. Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko is slated to visit the US in October to discuss American investment projects in Ukraine. In the meantime, Ukraine’s immediate defense is being bolstered by the recent arrival of a US-made Patriot air defense system from Israel, with two more systems anticipated this autumn.
