Ukraine is waiting for the White House to approve a proposed drone production agreement with the United States, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Thursday, as nations race to upgrade their air defense systems following lessons from the Iran war.
Zelenskyy said the proposed partnership would focus on producing multiple types of drones and integrated air defense systems designed to work together against large-scale aerial attacks. The system would be capable of defending against swarms of Iranian-designed Shahed drones and missiles, which have been widely used in modern conflicts.
“We have not yet had the opportunity to sign this document,” Zelenskyy said in a social media statement.
Russia has launched tens of thousands of Shahed drones against Ukraine since its full-scale invasion began more than four years ago. In one of the largest nighttime attacks of the war, Moscow launched over 800 drones and decoys. Iran has also used the same type of drones in attacks across the Middle East following joint U.S.-Israeli strikes.
Ukraine has become a global leader in developing low-cost counter-drone technology, including “drone killers” that cost only a few thousand dollars but can intercept incoming threats. These innovations have significantly changed the way air defense systems operate on modern battlefields.
Zelenskyy suggested the escalating conflict in the Middle East could encourage U.S. officials to move forward with the drone production deal. Ukraine is eager to secure long-term international support as it continues to defend itself against Russia’s invasion. Such agreements could also strengthen Kyiv’s position in any future negotiations with Moscow.
Efforts to end the war through U.S.-mediated negotiations are currently stalled as global attention shifts to the escalating Iran conflict.
Zelenskyy traveled to NATO member Romania on Thursday and is expected to visit French President Emmanuel Macron in Paris next. Meanwhile, new research suggests Russia’s oil revenues — a key source of funding for its war effort — have increased since the Middle East conflict began.
According to the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air, Russia’s daily income from oil sales during the recent Middle East tensions has been about 14 percent higher than in February due to rising crude prices.
Macron’s office said talks with Zelenskyy will focus on efforts to curb Russia’s so-called “shadow fleet” of oil tankers that transport crude in violation of international sanctions.
During his visit to Romania, Zelenskyy is also scheduled to meet President Nicușor Dan and Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan, as well as tour a training facility for Ukrainian F-16 pilots. Romania has been an important partner during the war, helping Ukraine export grain and supplying energy support as Russia repeatedly targets Ukraine’s power infrastructure.
Meanwhile, Ukrainian officials claimed that long-range drones operated by the country’s security service struck a major oil depot and transshipment terminal in Russia’s Krasnodar region. A senior official said the strike disrupted Russian fuel logistics.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov condemned a separate Ukrainian drone attack targeting a compressor station connected to a gas pipeline supplying Turkey, calling it “an absolutely reckless action.”
Russia’s Defense Ministry said its air defenses intercepted 10 Ukrainian drones near the facility overnight and reported no damage to the pipeline infrastructure.
