Ukraine Is Ready to Share Drone Technology with Nordic and Baltic Countries, Zelenskyy Says
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy offered Nordic and Baltic countries drone defense technology during a Tallinn summit, citing past successes training Middle Eastern forces, while Russia continued strikes on Ukraine, killing three and wounding 28 in recent attacks. Zelenskyy also pushed for EU accession talks, claiming Ukraine met all conditions, and signed a drone deal with Latvia to boost joint defense efforts.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with Nordic and Baltic leaders in Tallinn, Estonia, during a regional summit, proposing to share drone defense technology after recent incidents where Ukrainian drones strayed into Baltic airspace. The drones had crashed into an Estonian power plant, hit empty fuel tanks in Latvia, and been shot down by Romanian jets in Lithuania. Zelenskyy emphasized Ukraine’s experience helping Middle Eastern countries shoot down drones, offering low-cost interceptors and expert training to European partners. Estonia’s President Alar Karis expressed concern over the cost of using fighter jets to intercept drones and welcomed Ukraine’s expertise to develop cheaper solutions. Zelenskyy stated Ukraine could deploy its own interceptors and send specialists immediately, framing the offer as a way to strengthen collective air defenses against Russian attacks. The summit also addressed Ukraine’s EU membership bid, with Zelenskyy asserting Kyiv had fulfilled the criteria to open accession negotiations. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen echoed support, calling Ukraine’s reforms "extraordinary progress" and urging swift approval. Zelenskyy and Latvian Prime Minister Andris Kulbergs additionally signed a drone co-production agreement to enhance joint defense capabilities. Meanwhile, Russia escalated strikes across Ukraine, killing three and wounding 28 in Kharkiv and Dnipropetrovsk regions within 24 hours. Ukraine’s air force reported shooting down 146 of Russia’s 166 long-range drones and two missiles overnight, while Russia claimed downing 140 drones. A Ukrainian drone also struck a Belgorod apartment building, killing a woman in Russia’s neighboring region. The summit underscored regional solidarity amid Russia’s invasion, with Baltic nations reaffirming their backing for Ukraine’s defense and political ambitions. Zelenskyy’s drone technology offer and EU push mark dual strategies to counter Russian aggression while securing long-term security partnerships.
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