Soldiers and civilians walk through the site of a Russian airstrike in Kharkiv, Ukraine, on Wednesday. [Reuters]
Soldiers and civilians walk through the site of a Russian airstrike in Kharkiv, Ukraine, on Wednesday. [Reuters]

The defense support Ukraine has received from individual European countries has now been elevated to the EU level, with the bloc signing a joint drone production agreement with Kyiv.

Euronews and other European outlets reported that European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen visited the Ukrainian capital Kyiv on Wednesday and signed a drone agreement with Ukraine.

Speaking at a ceremony marking Ukraine's National Day, von der Leyen said the agreement would "bring together Ukraine's ingenuity and Europe's large-scale industrial capacity," adding, "We must combine our strengths."

Ukraine has built up drone technology developed independently during the war with Russia and has signed defense industry agreements — including joint drone production deals — with individual European countries. President Volodymyr Zelensky has repeatedly touted his country's edge in drone warfare, a cornerstone of modern combat, saying Ukraine has experienced every kind of drone imaginable. Von der Leyen appeared to have this in mind, saying, "Your knowledge of drones is truly unrivaled," and adding, "We must harness these capabilities."

Von der Leyen also approved a plan to allocate 10 billion euros of the EU's 90 billion euro ($103 billion) loan package for Ukraine toward procuring drones, missiles and fighter jets. Of that, 1 billion euros will go specifically toward drone support.

Von der Leyen and Zelensky discussed ways to deepen bilateral defense cooperation, including expanding drone production, strengthening air defense support and advancing Ukraine's EU accession process. After four years of war with Russia, Ukraine has recently been turning the tide by using drones and other assets to carry out long-range strikes on Russian energy production facilities.

Shortly after arriving in Kyiv, von der Leyen said Ukraine "has built strong military momentum — the tide is turning," and said the EU "is also playing its part" by providing the 90 billion euro loan package.

Ukraine's EU accession negotiations also appear set to move forward more quickly. Former Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, a pro-Russia figure who repeatedly blocked Ukraine's path to membership, has been removed from power. Von der Leyen is also set to receive a newly established Ukrainian "European Order," awarded in recognition of her strong support for Ukraine's EU membership bid.

Von der Leyen is also attending the fifth Summit of Southeast European Leaders on Wednesday, which includes the heads of state of Croatia, Moldova and Romania. Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic, who is considered pro-Russia, is also participating. Serbia, which depends on Russia for energy, has not joined Europe's sanctions against Russia but does support Ukraine's territorial integrity.


kate01@heraldcorp.com