Ukraine to hold talks with the European partners this week focused on creating a joint defence system, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced before visiting Berlin on Tuesday.
“I am confident: either Ukraine becomes an integral part of Europe’s security system, or some in Europe risk becoming part of the ‘Russian world,'” Zelenskyy said.
Ukraine’s president reiterated that Kyiv stands ready to “support those who support us”.
“Our Ukrainian security experience and our military expertise are now the most sought-after products for dozens of countries worldwide,” Zelenskyy said, referring to Kyiv’s recently signed defence agreements with the Middle East.
Ukraine has already signed 10-year agreements with Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the UAE. Kyiv is also in talks with Kuwait, Oman, Turkey, Syria while countries in Asia and Africa “are interested in Ukraine’s experience as well.”
“Ukraine is a global producer of strength and security – that is already the case, and it will remain so,” Zelenskyy said, announcing his talks with the European partners this week, following his tour in the Middle East.
What could this joint defence system look like?
Having wrapped up the visit to the Gulf states followed by trips to Turkey and Syria, Zelenskyy said last week that, should the US seriously consider withdrawing from NATO, European security would be based “solely on the European Union”.
According to Ukraine’s president, as it stands now, it would not be enough, and this is where non-EU countries including Ukraine could step in.
“The UK, Ukraine, Türkiye, and Norway. These are four strong countries, which are part of Europe,” Zelenskyy said.
After the talks in Berlin, Zelenskyy will travel to Norway to meet with Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Søre, scheduled for Tuesday evening.
“Together, the UK, Ukraine, and Türkiye have armies that are stronger than Russia’s army,” Zelenskyy said last week, adding that without Ukraine and Turkey, Europe cannot match Russia.
“With the four countries on board you can wrest control of the seas, have secure skies and the largest land forces,” Zelenskyy pointed out.
“It’s not about offence, because when Russia makes the decision to have an army of 2.5 million people by 2030, Europe has to think about security and how to preserve its independence,” he added.
What can Ukraine bring to the table?
Kyiv can contribute to European defence, first and foremost, with its drones: first-person-view, interceptors, long-range, and naval ones.
Ukraine’s defence industry has ramped up home production, with most weapons now used on the frontlines made domestically.
Zelenskyy said that in the first three months of 2026, ground robotic systems performed more than 22,000 missions on Ukraine’s front line.
“In other words, lives were saved more than 22,000 times when a robot went into the most dangerous areas instead of a warrior. This is about high technology protecting the highest value — human life,” Zelenskyy said.
He also said for the first time since the beginning of Russia’s all-out war against Ukraine, Kyiv forces have captured Russian positions “exclusively by unmanned platforms — ground systems and drones.”
“The occupiers surrendered, and the operation was carried out without infantry and without losses on our side,” he explained.
Ukraine’s maritime drones
An important part of Ukraine’s UAV arsenal is the home-made maritime drones, which played a crucial role in securing the Black Sea corridor and Kyiv’s grain exports.
Ukraine employs sea drones and specialised weaponry to secure the corridor, enabling maritime traffic, and Zelenskyy offered the same approach to unblock the Strait of Hormuz.
“When people talk about security in the Strait of Hormuz, it is often a theoretical discussion,” he said, explaining that “those who speak about it have not conducted such operations themselves. Ukrainians have.”
“We have fought an enemy fleet, air strikes, and naval mines – we have been through all of it. And if partners offer us cooperation on equal footing, Ukraine can help.”
Maritime drones have been included in Kyiv’s defence agreements with the Gulf states.
French President Emmanuel Macron and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer are set to co-host a videoconference on Friday to map out a plan to secure the Strait of Hormuz, as the weekend peace talks between Tehran and Washington failed to deliver an agreement.
It is unclear at this stage if Zelenskyy will take part in the talks.