Ukraine Emerges as a Pioneering Force in Drone Technology
At the Yalta European Strategy conference held in Kyiv on September 13, U.S. Envoy Keith Kellogg proclaimed that Ukraine has ascended to the forefront of global drone technology, outpacing even the United States.
During his official visit to Kyiv, which commenced on September 11, Kellogg, who serves as Special Envoy for Ukraine under President Donald Trump, emphasized the significance of Ukraine’s advancements in this sphere.
“Ukraine now stands as a global leader in defense technology,” Kellogg remarked, proposing that this prowess bolsters Ukraine’s case for European Union membership.
He elaborated on the transformative impact of drone technology on modern warfare, noting with concern that the U.S. lags behind Ukraine in this critical area. “The United States is indeed falling short… Many nations trail behind, yet Ukraine has seized the opportunity, positioning itself as the world leader,” he stated, expressing urgency in the need for collaboration in this domain.
Kellogg advocated for strong U.S.-Ukraine partnerships to facilitate the exchange of drone technologies. Since the onset of Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022, Kyiv has vastly expanded its drone production capabilities across all terrains, with ambitious plans to manufacture 30,000 long-range drones by 2025.
In a landmark July announcement, President Volodymyr Zelensky disclosed a prospective agreement with Trump concerning the sale of Ukrainian drones to the U.S., estimating the contract’s potential value between $10 billion and $30 billion.
Additionally, Ukraine secured a significant partnership with the U.S. company Swift Beat, aiming to co-produce hundreds of thousands of drones this year.
On the broader context of Russia’s invasion, Kellogg asserted that Moscow’s incremental territorial gains in eastern Ukraine do not equate to battlefield triumph. “Russia is, in truth, losing this war,” he stated emphatically.
He pointed out that any advances reported in areas such as the Donbas and Donetsk regions are modest at best, describing movement in terms of meters rather than miles as a patently hollow victory. “The cost to them is astronomical, a reality that remains underappreciated,” he added.
Highlighting Russia’s dependency on Chinese support, Kellogg characterized the nation as the “junior partner” within their alliance. “If China were to withhold its assistance, the war would end almost instantaneously,” he stated.
Kellogg’s previous visit to Kyiv on August 24 coincided with Ukraine’s 34th Independence Day. A retired general and a key advisor to Trump, he has maintained close ties with senior Ukrainian officials in pursuit of a peace resolution between the two nations.
Addressing the YES conference a day prior, Zelensky acknowledged Kellogg’s influential role in fortifying Kyiv’s defenses against Russian aerial assaults. “Your presence, General, enhances our sense of security. We wish for you to visit every Ukrainian city,” he expressed warmly.
Source link: Yahoo.com.
