Zelenskyy enforces stricter controls as foreign demand for Ukrainian drones surges
Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced a new system to control drone sales, warning that foreign countries and firms must not bypass the government. One manufacturer was already reprimanded for selling interceptors without considering national security implications.
The move comes amid heightened interest in Ukrainian drone interceptors, as the US-Israel war with Iran escalates, prompting Washington and its Middle Eastern allies to seek technology to counter Iranian drone attacks.
Zelenskyy also confirmed that Ukraine is awaiting U.S. and Russian agreement for the next round of trilateral peace talks, following Moscow’s refusal to send a delegation to a U.S.-proposed meeting.
Pushing back against former President Donald Trump, Zelenskyy stated that Ukraine has responded to multiple U.S. requests for drone and defense support, underscoring the strategic value of Ukrainian technology in global defense.
Other developments include Moldova declaring an environmental alert after a fuel spill in the Dniester River, caused by a Russian strike on Ukraine’s hydroelectric plant. Zelenskyy opposed allowing Russian oil to transit via Ukraine’s Druzhba pipeline, questioning the political cost of such energy deals.
Meanwhile, a documentary about a Russian teacher resisting the war in Ukraine won the Oscar for Best Documentary Feature, highlighting civilian courage and the human cost of the ongoing conflict.
Source: The Guardian