Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy will meet UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer in London to finalise an expanded defence and industrial partnership focused on joint drone production and other military technologies. The two governments plan to pursue wider defence-industrial and technological cooperation with partner countries. Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte is expected to join talks on Euro-Atlantic security and efforts to secure a lasting peace in Ukraine. Starmer highlighted the growing strategic role of drones, electronic warfare and rapid battlefield innovation.
Zelenskiy to Meet Starmer in London to Deepen Drone Production and Defence Ties
FILE PHOTO: British Prime Minister Keir Starmer greets Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy at 10 Downing Street, as E3 partners France, Germany and Britain meet in London, Britain, December 8, 2025. REUTERS/Isabel Infantes/File Photo
March 17 (Reuters) - Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy will meet British Prime Minister Keir Starmer in London on Tuesday to finalise a deeper defence and industrial partnership, the British government said.
Downing Street said the two leaders are expected to endorse an expanded declaration aimed at the joint production and supply of drones and other military technologies. The agreement is intended to accelerate industrial cooperation and strengthen Ukraine's access to critical battlefield capabilities.
The statement added that Britain and Ukraine will explore opportunities to broaden defence-industrial and technological cooperation with additional partner countries to scale production, share expertise and improve supply chains.
Delegations And Security Talks
Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte is also expected to travel to London to take part in talks on Euro-Atlantic security and efforts to secure a lasting peace in Ukraine. (Note: an earlier version of this report misidentified Mr. Rutte's title.)
"Drones, electronic warfare and rapid battlefield innovation are now central to national and economic security, and that has only been further magnified by the conflict in the Middle East," Starmer said in the statement.
Why It Matters
- Industrial Scale-Up: A formalised declaration would speed joint production of drones and related systems, increasing supply to Ukrainian forces.
- International Cooperation: The pact signals a push to involve other partner nations in defence industrial links and technology-sharing.
- Strategic Focus: Emphasis on electronic warfare and rapid innovation reflects evolving battlefield priorities.
(Reporting by Anusha Shah in Bengaluru; Editing by Jamie Freed and Kate Holton)
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