By KYIV. Oct 28 (Interfax-Ukraine) – On Thursday, Foreign Minister of Ukraine Dmytro Kuleba held an online meeting with the ambassadors of Ukraine regarding the contribution of embassies to strengthening the defense capability of the Ukrainian state.
According to the press service of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, at the invitation of the Minister, the leadership of the State Concern Ukroboronprom also took part in the meeting.
"At the very beginning of the Russian invasion, President Volodymyr Zelensky set the task of Ukrainian diplomacy to maximize cooperation with international partners in the military sphere. At the first stage, first of all, it was about the supply of modern weapons and ammunition to meet the immediate needs of the Ukrainian army," the head of Ukrainian diplomacy noted.
According to him, "significant results" have been achieved in this area through joint efforts with the Ministry of Defense.
"Now there is an urgent need to develop the domestic military-industrial complex and the production, maintenance and repair of weapons, the implementation of strategic long-term projects. To do this, we need to create partnerships with other countries, and we will give priority to this issue. This will be a new stage in strengthening Ukraine’s defense capability," the minister stressed.
He announced three priorities outlined by the head of state for Ukrainian diplomacy, including work on increasing the number of air defense and missile defense systems, large-caliber artillery systems, MLRS, armored fighting vehicles, tanks and ammunition supplied to Ukraine, ensuring financing by partners for the purchase of weapons and equipment needed by Ukraine in third countries, as well as cooperation with international partners in the production of weapons and ammunition, the creation of bases for maintenance and repair of equipment with the participation of leading enterprises of the military-industrial complex of Ukraine.
In this context, during the meeting, the head of the State Concern Ukroboronprom Yuriy Husev outlined the main needs of the Ukrainian military-industrial complex and informed about specific projects in need of assistance. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ukroboronprom Group agreed on further coordination of actions.
"The Minister summed up that the development of multi-level support for the defense sector with the involvement of international partners will not only bring victory over the Russian aggressor closer, but will also contribute to strengthening the long-term security of Ukraine," the foreign ministry stressed.
