Following a November 2025 agreement to build Ukrainian-designed Unmanned Surface Vessels (USVs) in Greek shipyards, Kyiv reportedly requested the right to grant permission for their use in armed conflicts. This demand has sparked concern in Athens, which views drones as a crucial advantage in the Aegean Sea amid maritime disputes with Turkey.
Negotiations are said to be facing difficulties, as Athens does not accept this condition. Observers suggest Ukraine’s move is a diplomatic maneuver to avoid upsetting Turkey, which remains a key mediator with Moscow. However, Kyiv has not officially confirmed this motive.
For now, the industrial drone-production partnership remains in limbo as both nations struggle to reconcile operational control with strategic cooperation.
