Photo: OP
Ukraine has a powerful defence potential worth more than $35 billion and calls on partners to actively participate in joint arms production. This was stated by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the Defence Industries Forum in The Hague, the Presidential Office reports.
“This is almost a thousand products – from artillery to modern drones and missiles. And this is just the beginning,” the Head of State stressed.
Drones, missiles, armoured vehicles – but not enough money
The President noted that almost 40% of this potential remains without adequate funding. According to Zelenskyy, Ukraine can produce more than 8 million drones alone if it receives appropriate investment.
“Russia is already engaging Iran, North Korea, and international corruption. The response should be solidarity and strong defence cooperation from the West,” he said.
Joint production and ban on supplies to Russia
Zelenskyy stressed Ukraine’s openness to all formats of military-industrial cooperation and called on the international community to stop indirect technology supplies to Russia:
“No serious Russian missile is created without foreign components. It’s not just China, it’s Taiwan, and even the EU and the US,” he stressed.
The President warned that every screw or chip that gets to Russia is a crime against peace.
Europe should spend more on defence
He also called on European countries to increase defence spending to at least 5% of GDP to deter Russia’s plans, which extend far beyond Ukraine.
“A united Europe is able to destroy the Kremlin’s illusion that something can be gained from the war against the West,” Zelenskyy said.
