Ukrainian defense industry is underfunded by approximately 20 billion euros - Zelenskyy
Kyiv • UNN
The Ukrainian defense industry is underfunded by 20 billion euros, which can be covered by the assets of the Russian Federation. Also, Russia is preparing a new offensive in the Sumy, Kharkiv, and Zaporizhzhia regions.
The defense industry in Ukraine is underfunded by approximately 20 billion euros, which can be covered by Russian assets. The situation on the front is still very difficult. Russia is preparing for new offensives in the Sumy, Kharkiv, and Zaporizhzhia regions.
This was stated by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy during a speech at a meeting of leaders on supporting Ukraine in Paris, reports UNN.
The situation on the front line is still very difficult. Stabilization on the front is a reliable basis for diplomacy. We managed to stabilize the situation in the Donetsk region, and we are continuing operations in the Russian Kursk region to protect our eastern regions. According to our intelligence, Russia is preparing for new offensives in the Sumy, Kharkiv, and Zaporizhzhia regions. They are dragging out negotiations and trying to involve the United States in endless, meaningless discussions about fake "conditions" in order to buy time and then try to seize even more land.
He emphasized that Putin wants to negotiate about territory from a stronger position.
He only thinks about war. So, our job – all of us – is defense in the broadest sense of the word. That is, the continuation of military assistance, but, in addition, we need investments, more joint projects, more joint production, more localization, everything aimed at scaling and developing our defense production – from shells to drones and missiles.
The President emphasized that Europe needs everything possible for its own defense.
Let's consider today which defense areas, from the point of view of support and production, are the most useful. This is 5 billion euros for artillery shells for our defense this year. And this funding must be found now. Also – air defense systems and missiles. Next – our domestic production. There are things that you can produce in your countries, and there are things that we can localize in Ukraine. Our defense industry in Ukraine is underfunded by approximately 20 billion euros. We believe that this can be covered by Russian assets. And this needs to be done.
Supplement
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy emphasized that Ukraine needs funds for artillery shells, and Kyiv would be grateful for European support in the amount of at least 5 billion euros in the shortest possible time.