Kyiv, July 21, 2025 – French companies have decided to begin drone manufacturing in Ukraine, marking a significant development in defense cooperation between Paris and Kyiv. The announcement came following a meeting between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and French Minister Delegate for Europe and Foreign Affairs, Jean-Noël Barrot.
According to a statement shared on Zelensky’s official Telegram channel, the two sides discussed several defense-related matters, including air defense reinforcement, training of Ukrainian soldiers, and joint defense production.
“We discussed defense aid, particularly the need for air defense systems, the training of our soldiers, and the outcomes of the ‘Ramstein format’ meetings,” Zelensky said.
The Ukrainian President confirmed that joint defense production, specifically drone manufacturing, was among the key topics.
“We are ready to expand joint defense production. French companies have made the decision to start producing drones in Ukraine, and this is extremely valuable,” he added.
In addition to defense cooperation, Zelensky and Barrot also addressed EU accession talks and the ongoing sanctions regime against Russia.
This development underscores France’s growing role in supporting Ukraine’s defense capabilities on the ground and aligns with broader Western efforts to boost Ukraine’s domestic military industry amid the ongoing conflict with Russia.
