Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky meets with NATO's Secretary General Mark Rutte at a summit in Turkey on July 7, 2026. © AFP

Zelensky signs defence deals with Denmark, Estonia and Netherlands

· France 24

President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Tuesday that Ukraine had signed three more "drone deals" with Denmark, Estonia and the Netherlands, making available its expertise gained from more than four years of war with Russia.

Zelensky announced the agreements in social media posts on the sidelines of the NATO summit in the Turkish capital Ankara and said Kyiv had now secured nine such accords.

Ukraine has developed a highly sophisticated drone industry after having only limited expertise in the sector when Russia invaded its smaller neighbour in February 2022.

Zelensky has travelled widely to promote the deals, particularly in the Middle East, where Gulf countries were forced this year to counter Iranian strikes.

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Cover image: This handout photograph taken and released by the Ukrainian Presidential Press Service on March 6, 2026, shows Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky visiting the main command post of the 100th Separate Mechanized Brigade, which is defending Kostyantynivka in Donetsk region. © AFP, handout photo

In announcing the deal with Denmark, Zelensky said the agreement "opens up greater opportunities for joint defence production, the exchange of expertise, and transparency in weapons exports".

He said Denmark had been the first country to offer joint production in Ukraine "and it is absolutely fair that Denmark will now have access to Ukrainian exports of weapons tested in war".

In a post on X at the end of the first day of meetings, Zelensky said Ukraine "rightfully belongs here" and repeated that Kyiv's main aim at the gathering was to "secure more air defence and stronger diplomatic positions".

Zelensky has pointed to Ukraine's need to boost defences against Russian ballistic missiles after two attacks on the Ukrainian capital in the past week. Nineteen people died in Kyiv in the latest assault on Monday.

(FRANCE 24 with Reuters)