President Volodymyr Zelensky is working to dramatically expand Ukraine’s arsenal, announcing that the groundwork has been laid for new deals with the United States to procure long-range weapons. This strategic push, aimed at giving Kyiv the ability to strike targets deep inside enemy territory, follows a high-level agreement with US President Donald Trump at the UN General Assembly.
The new arrangements are set to be built on top of a colossal $90 billion agreement already in place, signaling an unwavering and deepening commitment from Washington. Zelensky, speaking in Kyiv, confirmed that a specialized Ukrainian delegation would soon travel to the US to hash out the technical specifications and logistical details of the weapons purchases, with meetings planned for late September or early October.
Currently, Ukraine’s own long-range capabilities are primarily limited to its burgeoning drone fleet, which has successfully targeted Russian military and energy facilities. However, the acquisition of dedicated long-range missile systems from the US would represent a quantum leap in striking power, offering greater payload capacity, speed, and precision for critical missions.
In a sign of a maturing partnership, the flow of military technology is not just a one-way street. Zelensky revealed plans for the US to acquire Ukrainian-made drones, an acknowledgment of their battle-proven effectiveness. This potential deal will be another key topic for the technical teams when they meet. In addition, Ukraine is preparing to share its advanced tactics for defeating drone swarms with international partners.
Reinforcing its defensive lines, Ukraine has also been receiving advanced air defense systems. Zelensky confirmed the recent arrival of a US-made Patriot system from Israel, a significant development, and stated that two more systems are expected in the autumn. These defensive shields are crucial as aerial threats persist, highlighted by Zelensky’s claim of Russian drones breaching Polish airspace earlier in the month.