Joint memorandum on drone technology being explored by Ireland and Ukraine

Detailed summary

Volodymyr Zelensky and Micheál Martin discussed the programme during a meeting in Dublin on Wednesday.

A joint Irish-Ukrainian memorandum on drone technology is being “explored”.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Taoiseach Micheál Martin confirmed the move following a bilateral meeting in Dublin on Wednesday.

Mr Zelensky is among a host of world leaders gathering in the Irish capital this week for two major EU presidency events amid the biggest security operation in the history of the state.

On Thursday Mr Zelensky indicated he expects to be updated by US President Donald Trump’s envoys, Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, following talks with Russia in Abu Dhabi.

This is expected to include a proposed prisoner exchange as well as security guarantees which Ukraine has asked of Russia.

Speaking during a joint press conference, Mr Martin said they are looking at drawing up a joint memorandum in terms of the two countries having a relationship with regard to drone technology and manufacture.

“Given Ukrainian expertise in drone technology, we could avail of that technology, particularly unmanned drones in terms of maritime security, but that work is still ongoing,” he said.

He also welcomed the talks in Abu Dhabi, while describing the “shocking suffering” and the number of people losing their lives as “unconscionable”.

Mr Zelensky stressed he wanted to see Europe involved in the talks, as well as the United States and Russia, saying that ending the war without Europe’s participation “would be impossible”.

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