KYIV — Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced Saturday that Ukraine and the United States have reached a major agreement to expand cooperation on drone technology, including the delivery of hundreds of thousands of unmanned aerial systems starting this year.

In a video address, Zelenskyy said Ukraine’s Defense Ministry had signed a new deal this week with "one of the leading" U.S. drone companies under special terms that would ensure a significant boost in Ukraine’s drone capabilities.

“The agreement will provide Ukraine with hundreds of thousands of drones as early as this year, and even significantly more the following year,” Zelenskyy said, adding that the delivery will include interceptor drones, which he described as a top priority.

The announcement comes amid Ukraine’s continued efforts to bolster its defensive and offensive capabilities as the war with Russia enters its third year.

Zelenskyy also described his phone call Friday with U.S. President Donald Trump as “extremely fruitful,” calling it likely their “best conversation so far.” The discussion also covered expanding cooperation on air defense systems. — Agencies