A historic change in Ukraine's relations with the West. Drone coalition and industrial partnership

Ashley Davis19/04/2026

0 64 4 minutes read

This week highlighted the central paradox of Russia's war against Ukraine. During the Ramstein format meeting in Berlin on April 15 Western allies pledged over $45 billion. (approx. PLN 160 billion) military aid — the largest single commitment since the beginning of the full-scale Russian invasion.

The contrast was striking: unprecedented Western involvement clashed with relentless Russian aggression, and promises of future military capabilities contradicted the current scale of destruction.

Nevertheless, last week was groundbreaking: instead of ad hoc donations, industrial partnerships emergedand rescue operations began to give way to long-term production plans.

These numbers demonstrate the commitment of allies

Great Britain has pledged 600 million pounds (approx. PLN 2.9 billion) for air defense systems, financed from frozen Russian assets, contributions from partners and funds from the British treasury. Germany will provide EUR 500 million (approx. PLN 2.1 billion) for the PURL project (Procurement of Ukrainian Resources and Logistics), and another EUR 300 million (approx. PLN 1.3 billion) for the purchase of drones for Ukraine and their joint production.

Norway has allocated EUR 100 million (approx. PLN 420 million) for air and missile defense, EUR 240 million (approx. PLN 1 billion) for naval capabilities and EUR 50 million (approx. PLN 216 million) for the Drone Coalition. Canada matched the German commitment to the PURL project in the amount of EUR 500 million and added another USD 220 million. (approx. PLN 790 million) for drones and military support.

Total amount: USD 45 billion. this the largest single declaration of military support since the beginning of the Russian invasion in February 2022. However, more important than the amounts themselves is what these funds are intended for: air defense and drone production. These two elements will determine whether Ukraine will be able to protect its citizens and conduct further offensive actions.

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The most important event was not the immediate delivery of weapons, but ensuring the ability to produce long-term production. The German investment of EUR 300 million creates joint ventures with companies such as Quantum Systems, which cooperate with Ukrainian manufacturers in the production of unmanned land systems and reconnaissance drones. The UK has announced funding for thousands of long-range drones, opting for domestic production instead of one-off purchases.

For three years, Western aid has been based on a donation model that has depleted arms supplies and made political decisions more difficult. Joint production builds new capacitiescreates jobs in allied countries and gives Ukraine the scalable, long-term production necessary to wage modern warfare.

Zelensky's parallel diplomacy

While Ramstein dominated the headlines, President Volodymyr Zelensky led his own diplomatic initiative. On April 15, he met with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni in Rome and obtained her consent to cooperate in the production of drones.

— Ukraine has developed a special type of security agreement that we call the Drone Deal format, Zelensky said. This approach sees Ukraine as a partner with valuable battlefield knowledge, and not solely as a victim dependent on the goodwill and generosity of others.

Zelensky went from Rome to the Netherlands, where he signed a defense agreement for EUR 482 million (approx. PLN 2 billion) with Prime Minister Rob Jetten. It covers drone production, air defense, electronic warfare and energy security. Then he went to Norway, which declared EUR 560 million (approx. PLN 2.4 billion) for drones and EUR 150 million (approx. PLN 634 million) for logistics.

As Russia announced these commitments, it increased deadly attacks on Ukrainian civilians. It probably wasn't a coincidence. Russia consistently increases the number of attacks after announcing large amounts of Western aid, sending a clear message: your support makes no difference.

Even the unpredictable US President Donald Trump publicly criticized Russian President Vladimir Putin for these attacks, calling them “terrible” and “unnecessary.” However, his indecision regarding Ukraine's situation remains more harmful than helpful. The relatively low rank of the American delegation in Berlin emphasized Trump's distancing himself from Ukraine and NATO allies.

The Ramstein commitments are real, but they concern the future. Realistically speaking, it will take months to launch joint drone production. Air defense systems require training and integration.

A Ukrainian soldier observes the launch of a drone from a ground robotics complex during tests at the training ground, April 10, 2026.Dmytro Smolienko/Ukrinform/PAP

Ukraine needs these weapons and air defense systems now. Let us recall that from the beginning of Russian aggression Ukraine pleaded with the West for help in closing the skies over the country. In the meantime, she was forced to find ways to respond on her own. And she amazed the world with how well she rose to the challenge.

Ukraine does not ask for permission, it just acts

Russian missiles are hitting Kiev, Odessa, Kharkiv and other cities, but Ukrainian drones are attacking Russian air bases, ammunition depots, energy infrastructure and other key facilities hundreds of kilometers from the border.

Russia's fear is visible in the Kremlin's reaction. When the West promises billions of dollars, Russian officials usually respond dismissively. However, Putin is more concerned about the real damage that Ukrainian forces may now cause Russian military and economic resources.

What began as small border raids have grown into complex strikes deep into Russian territory using domestically produced long-range drones. Any Russian bomber destroyed on the ground will no longer fire missiles at Ukrainian cities. Each damaged refinery makes it more difficult for Russia to conduct military operations.

There have been long discussions in Western capitals about whether to allow Ukraine to attack Russia with Western weapons. Meanwhile, Ukraine has been developing and using its own potential for long-range strikes. It doesn't ask for permission, it just acts.

Two pillars of the Ukrainian strategy

Today, the Ukrainian strategy is based on two pillars. The first: building long-term industrial and diplomatic ties with the West and – potentially – with other countries, such as some Gulf states, that can weather political changes in any country. Second: constantly exerting military pressure on Russia by attacking its war potential.

However, Ukraine is using up drones and ammunition faster than it can produce them. Joint production projects are intended to fill this gap. Meanwhile, Ukrainian attacks weaken the Russian military. Both these processes drive each other.

Alongside this week's paradox – record support amid record destruction – has emerged third element: Ukraine's agency. It is no longer just a question of whether Western aid will arrive in time for Ukraine to persevere. It is also a question of whether Ukraine's own initiatives will create lasting conditions for further fighting and ultimate victory.

Ashley Davis19/04/2026

0 64 4 minutes read