Ukraine and UK sign military-industrial drone partnership

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is visiting the UK to meet with Prime Minister Keir Starmer and formalize a new military-industrial partnership. The agreement aims to combine Ukrainian battlefield drone expertise with British industrial capabilities to advance drone technology and artificial intelligence applications on the frontlines. As part of the initiative, the UK will provide £500,000 in funding for a new AI centre of excellence in Kyiv. The talks also involve NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte and will address potential security guarantees for Ukraine under a 'Coalition of the Willing' framework. Both nations plan to explore the export of drone technologies to third countries, including potential sales to Gulf states. Prime Minister Starmer emphasized that international support for Ukraine remains a priority despite the ongoing conflicts in the Middle East. The partnership intends to strengthen Ukraine's defense against Russia, which is currently in the fourth year of its invasion. The leaders also discussed maintaining sanctions pressure on Moscow to counter the economic impacts of rising global oil prices.