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Zelenskyy: US Wants Ukrainian Drones as Kyiv Seeks American Air Defense Systems
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![Photo of Dariia Mykhailenko]( "Photo of Dariia Mykhailenko")
The United States is interested in purchasing drones made in Ukraine, while Kyiv is looking to buy other types of weapons from American manufacturers.
This was announced by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in an interview with NewsMax on July 16.
According to Zelenskyy, Ukraine is currently seeking to acquire weapons from Washington to strengthen its air defense shield. He emphasized that this cooperation would be mutually beneficial, as the US has shown interest in Ukrainian-made drones.
“There are many drones that only we have. And we are discussing this with President Trump. I told him that I really want to buy things from you that only you have. He told me that America wants to buy Ukrainian drones, produced by Ukraine. I really want America to help us protect our skies. It is very important,” Zelenskyy said.
Meanwhile, President Donald Trump confirmed that shipments of Patriot missiles to Ukraine are already in progress, with NATO allies and the European Union covering the costs. He made the statement during a press briefing at Andrews Air Force Base on July 15, when asked about missile deliveries.
“They’re already being shipped,” Trump said.
The President noted that the interceptors are being supplied from Germany and will be replenished by Berlin.
“They’re coming in from Germany and then replaced by Germany. And in all cases, the United States gets paid back in full,” he added.
Earlier, France and Italy opted out of a US-backed initiative to jointly purchase American-made weapons for Ukraine, citing their focus on strengthening Europe's own defense industry and limited funding for the effort.
