Ukraine targets seven more NATO drone-deal signings by year-end, reversing aid dependency

Ukraine's security council deputy announced July 6 that Kyiv is pursuing defence agreements with at least seven additional NATO members before 2026 ends. The push follows six signed deals with Saudi Arabia, UAE, Qatar, Azerbaijan, Latvia, and Lithuania. The agreements transfer combat experience, sensors, and radar systems—not just drone hardware. The €3.9 billion EU procurement fund announced June 30 gives Ukraine purchasing power to reshape itself from aid recipient into defence technology partner.