US President rejects Ukraine's offer to help defend against drones

Regional and Ukrainian outlets frame the dispute as hard bargaining over a large drone cooperation package that Kyiv wants in return for helping US and Israeli defenses. They stress that Ukraine seeks both money and technology to strengthen its own drone forces while proving its usefulness to Washington during the Iran-Israel war. These sources expect Ukraine to keep pushing for a deal that ties its security more closely to US interests without losing focus on the Russian threat.

• •Zelensky has said Ukraine wants tens of billions of dollars and access to US drone technology in exchange for helping with Middle East drone defense.
• •Ukrainian officials argue that a drone deal would improve Ukraine’s ability to counter Russian attacks while supporting US and Israeli needs.
• •Kyiv worries that the Iran-Israel war could weaken US political support and funding for Ukraine.
• •Ukrainian media report that Trump’s public rebuff has not ended Kyiv’s efforts to negotiate a drone package.
• •Regional coverage notes that Ukraine is trying to avoid being seen as a burden by offering concrete military help to the US.