Von der Leyen and Zelenskyy sign EU‑Ukraine drone deal

⚡️ Von der Leyen, other European leaders arrive in Kyiv for Ukraine Statehood Day. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said she would announce new initiatives to integrate the Ukrainian and European defense industries.

⚡️ EU chief Ursula von der Leyen arrived in Kyiv. “Ukraine has built a strong military momentum. The tide is turning. I will announce new initiatives to integrate our defence industries,” von der Leyen wrote.

Von der Leyen lands in Kyiv on Ukraine's Statehood Day—her 11th wartime visit She will announce new initiatives to integrate defense industries "so we can produce more, and faster," plus accession and winter talks. 📹 X/vonderleyen

🇺🇦🇪🇺 Ukraine's struggle is a struggle for the freedom of all of Europe, — Ursula von der Leyen during the celebrations of Ukrainian Statehood Day in Kyiv: 🔘 The EU and Ukraine signed an agreement on cooperation in the field of drones within the framework of a new defense-industrial partnership;

🇪🇺🇺🇦🇨🇳 FT: The EU has approved Ukraine using part of a €6 billion defense package to buy Chinese drone components because European suppliers can't meet demand. It shows Europe's continued dependence on Chinese supply chains for critical drone components.

Ursula von der Leyen and leaders from Moldova, Romania, Slovenia, Montenegro, Serbia, and Albania arrived in Kyiv. The purpose of the visit was not announced in advance for security reasons. Albania’s president is visiting Ukraine for the first time. #Ukraine

🇪🇺🇺🇦 “Just arrived in Kyiv for my 11th visit to Ukraine in wartime. It’s a special moment. Ukraine has built a strong military momentum. The tide is turning.” - Ursula von der Leyen President of the European Commission

FT reports that Ukraine has won permission to spend part of a €6B EU defense loan on drone components from ... China! The loan is intended to direct weapons spending into Europe's own factories, but, well, ahem, erm... Europe can't supply the parts fast enough. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ www.ft.com/content/f6cf...

The EU is allowing Ukraine to use its historic EU loan to purchase Chinese drone components, according to the Financial Times. One round of applause for strategic autonomy.

Russian strikes have killed at least three people in Odesa, Ukrainian authorities said, as Ursula von der Leyen arrived in Kyiv to discuss defense cooperation with Ukraine.

When Trump reduced his support (that godawful Oval Office attack was shocking) Zelenskyy found eager partners in the EU and NATO. So who won that one? Zelenskyy offered Trump their drone technology free and Trump said, no. EU eagerly accepted. Ukraine has totally restructured fighting a war. 💪

Hello from Kyiv! 👋 Ursula von der Leyen has arrived in the city to discuss drones and EU accession with Zelenskyy. She’ll also receive the newly created Order of Europe award. Here’s what to expect.

Ursula von der Leyen and several European leaders have arrived in Kyiv. Among them: Maia Sandu – President of Moldova Nicușor Dan – President of Romania Janez Janša – PM of Slovenia Jakov Milatović – President of Montenegro Aleksandar Vučić – President of Serbia Bajram Begaj – President of Albania

The visit of the president of the European Commission to Kyiv will have a heavy focus on drone production and EU accession. #EuropeNews

Despite Russia’s overnight air terror, Kyiv remains Europe's diplomatic hub. 10 foreign delegations, including EC President von der Leyen and the leaders of Serbia, Moldova, and Albania, arrived in the capital today for the "Ukraine–South-East Europe" summit to align regional security. 🎥Suspilne