Ukraine and Lithuania Agree on Joint Drone Production, Deployment of Ukrainian Experts

Ukraine and Lithuania have signed a bilateral agreement on cooperation that includes joint drone production and the deployment of Ukrainian defense experts to Lithuania.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced the deal after talks with Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda.

Zelensky stated that the agreement will help strengthen the defense capabilities of both countries and is based on mutual support, with Ukraine backing partners that provide meaningful assistance to its defense efforts.

A Ukrainian military expert team will work in Lithuania to help develop essential security capabilities, primarily to counter modern threats and strengthen security for both countries and the wider region.

The President emphasized that Ukraine highly values Lithuania’s principled support and its willingness to strengthen its defense capabilities to respond effectively to any Russian attacks.

Volodymyr Zelensky also thanked Gitanas Nausėda for Lithuania’s consistent support for Ukraine’s integration into the European Union.

On May 10, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha said Ukraine is ready to help the Baltic states and Finland prevent drone incursions into their airspace, including by deploying Ukrainian specialists.

Previously, the governments of the United States and Ukraine had prepared a draft memorandum outlining the terms of a potential new “drone deal” between the two countries.

The document, developed by the United States Department of State together with Olha Stefanishyna, Ukraine’s ambassador to the United States, is the first step toward an agreement that could allow Ukraine to export military technologies to the U.S. and establish drone production through joint ventures with American companies.

Ukrainian officials say cooperation in the drone sector would be mutually beneficial, as U.S. funding would enable both countries to significantly expand their defense production capacity.