Key facts
- Ukraine and Estonia signed a major defense cooperation agreement under the Drone Deal framework.
- The agreement was signed by President Volodymyr Zelensky and Estonian Prime Minister Kristen Michal.
- The deal aims to develop joint production, including capabilities for protecting the skies.
- This agreement is part of Ukraine's effort to expand drone technology cooperation with international partners.
Ukraine and Estonia have entered into a significant defense cooperation agreement focused on drone technology, announced by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on July 7, 2026. The deal was signed by Zelensky and Estonian Prime Minister Kristen Michal on the sidelines of the NATO summit in Ankara, Turkey.
President Zelensky described the agreement as a crucial step forward and a sign of trust between the two nations, emphasizing its role in accelerating cooperation. The pact is part of Ukraine's broader strategy to enhance drone technology collaboration with European and global partners, leveraging its extensive experience in unmanned systems from the ongoing conflict.
Under the terms of the agreement, both countries will collaborate on joint production, specifically targeting the development of "key capabilities for protecting the skies." Prime Minister Michal noted that the deal not only bolsters Estonia's own defense and creates opportunities for its defense industry but also enhances its ability to support Ukraine more effectively.
This agreement follows a series of similar drone deals Ukraine has recently secured with various partners, including Middle Eastern nations seeking expertise in drone defense and fellow NATO members Latvia and Lithuania. President Zelensky also engaged in discussions regarding future Drone Deals with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney and Finnish President Alexander Stubb during the summit.