Ex-defence minister Fedorov offers to help US build "army of drones" in exchange for Patriot interceptors – FT

Former Ukrainian Defence Minister Mykhailo Fedorov has said he is ready to help the United States create an "army of drones" in exchange for the supply of Patriot interceptor missiles.

Source: Fedorov in an interview with the Financial Times

Details: Fedorov said he would be "very glad to help America build an army of drones – especially in exchange for Patriot [interceptors] so that we survive this winter".

"I'm ready to make that trade," he said.

Fedorov declined to comment on whether he will meet anyone from US President Donald Trump's administration during his visit to Washington.

According to the FT, citing sources, SpaceX owner Elon Musk previously told Fedorov that he is prepared to allow Ukraine to use drones equipped with Starlink satellite communications beyond its borders to strike targets in Russia. However, according to these sources, Musk said this is a political decision that will have to be made by the White House. Fedorov himself declined to comment on his conversations with Musk.

Speaking about his decision to become an adviser to Italy's defence minister, Fedorov said he would seek similar advisory positions in other partner countries, potentially including France and the US.

He also said he wants to attract American investment to a defence technology fund which, he hopes, will write "a new history" of the war against Russia by creating and managing companies developing new weapons.

Fedorov is seeking backing for the proposed fund from venture capitalists, private investors and US technology companies. He said he was in talks with "a large number" of potential investors interested in Ukrainian innovation.

Fedorov did not provide details about his role in managing the fund or clarify whether he would personally benefit financially from it.

He said Russia is likely to prolong the war and that, if the war continues for another two or three years, the fund will develop cutting-edge "solutions for the battlefield" while giving investors access to the knowledge and experience Ukraine has gained throughout the war.

Background:

• On 22 August, Fedorov said that following his dismissal from government, his future plans include working on a venture fund to attract investment in Ukrainian defence start-ups, setting up a think tank and civic initiatives aimed at a "return to democracy", and lecturing at universities.
• At the time, Fedorov categorically denied plans to seek Donald Trump's backing during his trip to the US but did not rule out meeting billionaire and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk.
• On 28 August, Fedorov announced that he had accepted an offer from Italian Defence Minister Guido Crosetto to become his adviser.
• Fedorov's press office stated that his previous position as defence minister does not prevent him from serving as an adviser to the governments of other countries and that he will continue to live and work in Ukraine.

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