Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky inaugurated a first international forum devoted to the defense industry on Saturday September 30 in kyiv. Until now largely dependent on the support of its Western allies, Ukraine wants to relocate arms production on its territory.
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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky inaugurated a first international forum dedicated to the defense industry in kyiv, in the hope of attracting manufacturers capable of producing weapons in Ukraine and ” build an arsenal » against Russia.
The ammunition reserves of Western countries are dwindling and there is no guarantee for Ukraine that its allies will continue to support it at this level for a long time. In the United States, a hard-line fringe of Republicans simply wants to turn off the tap.
Volodymyr Zelensky therefore invited more than 250 defense sector companies from 30 countries to try to convince them to set up in his country:
“ We wish to relocate to Ukraine the production of equipment necessary for our defense and the advanced defense systems used by our soldiers “, did he declare.
Of the ” defense systems » necessary, because if Ukraine succeeds in relocating arms factories, they risk being targeted by Russia.
Volodymyr Zelensky therefore wants “ build a modern and powerful arsenal » and should be able to count on help from the United States and France. Visiting Kiev two days ago, the Minister of the Armed Forces, Sébastien Lecornu, said he was in favor of industrial partnerships.
Several large groups, such as the German arms production giant Rheinmetall and the British company BAE Systems, have announced their intention to partner with Ukrainian producers.