Drone Deal on the Agenda as Belgium's Deputy PM Meets Ukraine's President

Belgian Deputy Prime Minister Arrives in Ukraine for High-Level Talks

According to 5 канал: Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky received Belgium's Deputy Prime Minister Maxim Prévot during his official trip to the country. Their conversation focused on bilateral and multilateral cooperation, with special attention to three areas: bolstering combat aviation, advancing drone technology, and finalizing the text of the so-called Drone Deal. The meeting underscores Ukraine's drive to turn allied support into concrete defense agreements.

• Strengthening military aviation capabilities;
• Expanding drone-focused cooperation;
• Completing the draft of the Drone Deal agreement.

Zelensky thanked Belgium for its financial assistance, which has exceeded €1.1 billion so far this year.

More Support Expected, President Says

Pointing to Belgium's past contribution to Ukraine's combat aviation, Zelensky said he hopes the country will continue standing by Ukraine's side.

"Belgium gave us substantial help earlier in strengthening our combat aviation, and we value its readiness to keep doing so. I expect we will deliver on what we discussed, giving Ukrainians stronger protection against Russian strikes," the president said.

Zelensky also offered to pass on experience from the battlefield to Belgian partners and maintain support for those who have backed Ukraine since the start of the war.

"Our teams are currently working on the Drone Deal document, and we talked about possible signing dates," he added.

The talks also covered Ukraine's EU accession path and Belgium's solidarity with the Ukrainian people. The Energy Ministry of Ukraine confirmed that Belgium has supplied 55 pieces of energy equipment to the Kyiv region, intended for repairs and the protection of critical infrastructure.

Prévot's visit marks another step forward in Ukraine-Belgium ties, underscoring their shared focus on security and economic stability. This meeting and the issues on the table illustrate Belgium's active backing for Ukraine's defense efforts and its European integration. With financial aid and tech cooperation, the two countries are likely to deepen their partnership, especially in drones and energy, amid the ongoing conflict.

As Ukraine continues to strengthen its defense capabilities, the nation is also exploring new technological avenues. In a related development, the UK has committed to providing advanced electronic warfare technologies to support Ukraine's military efforts. This initiative reflects the growing international collaboration aimed at enhancing Ukraine's resilience against ongoing threats. For more details on this significant support, read about the UK's commitment to Ukraine's defense.