Ukraine asks allies to allocate 0.25% of GDP to boost its weapon production
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has called on Ukraine's Western partners to allocate 0.25 per cent of their GDP to helping Kyiv ramp up weapons production and said the country plans to sign agreements this summer to start exporting weapon production technologies.
In remarks released for publication by his office on Saturday, Zelenskyy said Ukraine was in talks with Denmark, Norway, Germany, Canada, the United Kingdom and Lithuania to launch joint weapon production.
"Ukraine is part of Europe's security and we want 0.25% of the GDP of a particular partner country to be allocated for our defence industry and domestic production," Zelenskyy said.
As the war with a bigger and better-equipped Russia has intensified in recent weeks, Ukraine's need for new weapons and ammunition is constantly growing.
This year Kyiv had secured $43 billion to finance its domestic weapon production, Zelenskyy said.
Member nations of the NATO military alliance are expected to meet next week in The Hague, to discuss higher defence spending.
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte has proposed that countries should each agree to spend 5 per cent of their GDP on defence and security measures.
Zelenskyy said he was likely to visit the NATO summit, adding that several meetings with Western leaders had been set up on the sidelines. He also said that he hoped to meet US President Donald Trump.
Last week, Zelenskyy attended the Group of Seven summit in Canada as he sought to discuss stronger sanctions against Russia and more military support for Ukraine with Trump there.
But he failed to meet with the US President as Trump left a day early for Washington to address the Israel-Iran conflict.
Ukraine currently covers about 40 per cent of its defence needs with domestic production, and the government is constantly looking for ways to increase production further.
Kyiv plans to launch joint weapon production outside of the country and will start exporting some of its military production technologies, Zelenskyy said.
"We have launched a programme 'Build with Ukraine' and in summer we will sign relevant agreements to start exporting our technologies abroad in the format of opening production lines in European countries," Zelenskyy said.
The discussions focused on producing different types of drones, missiles, and potentially artillery, he added.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Middle East Eye
an hour ago
- Middle East Eye
Senior Iranian official: European proposals in Geneva unrealistic
A senior Iranian official said on Saturday that proposals put forward by European powers at talks in Geneva about his country's nuclear programme were "unrealistic", suggesting that if they stuck to them it would be difficult to reach an accord. There were few signs of progress on Friday after the foreign ministers of Britain, France and Germany, known as the E3, plus the EU met their Iranian counterpart in a bid to prevent the conflict between Israel and Iran from escalating. "The discussions and proposals made by the Europeans in Geneva were unrealistic. Insisting on these positions will not bring Iran and Europe closer to an agreement," the senior official told Reuters, while speaking on condition of anonymity. "In any case, Iran will review the European proposals in Tehran and present its responses in the next meeting," the official said. Both sides signalled on Friday their readiness to keep talking, although no new date was set. European diplomats said Friday's talks had been aimed at testing Tehran's willingness to negotiate a new nuclear deal despite there being no obvious prospect of Israel halting its attacks soon.
Al Etihad
2 hours ago
- Al Etihad
Turkish President says region cannot endure new war
21 June 2025 20:37 ISTANBUL (AGENCIES) Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has stated that the Middle East cannot withstand another war, stressing that the only viable solution to the ongoing dispute over Iran's nuclear programme is a return to the negotiating table among all concerned to a statement issued by the Turkish presidency and reported by Anadolu Agency, Erdogan made the remarks during a meeting in Istanbul today with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Turkish president affirmed that Türkiye has consistently opposed Israeli attacks, whether on Gaza, Lebanon, Syria, or Iran, asserting that Türkiye's stance is rooted in principles that uphold sovereignty and reject meeting addressed regional and international developments, with a focus on the military escalation between Israel and Iran, as well as ways to ease tensions and revive political and diplomatic processes in the region. Israel-Iran Conflict Continue full coverage Erdogan noted that Türkiye has intensified its diplomatic efforts in recent weeks, engaging with various international parties to help de-escalate the situation and promote political solutions over the risk of broader conflict. He emphasised that the entire region cannot endure the outbreak of another war, calling for Israel to immediately cease its aggressive policies and urging a return to political rationality.
Al Etihad
3 hours ago
- Al Etihad
Attack on Iran violates international law: GCC Secretary-General
21 June 2025 20:07 ISTANBUL (WAM) Jassem Al Budaiwi, Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), has affirmed that Israel's attacks on Iran reflect the Israeli government's disregard for international law, condemning the strikes as a blatant violation of national his address at the 51st session of the Council of Foreign Ministers of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), which began today in Istanbul, Al Budaiwi reiterated the GCC's call for a return to stressed the importance of exercising restraint and maintaining open diplomatic channels, viewing them as the only viable path to avoid a wider regional Budaiwi praised Oman's positive mediation role in promoting US-Iran negotiations and urged all parties to prioritise wisdom and diplomacy, warning against the risks of a confrontation that could extend beyond regional developments in the occupied Palestinian territories, Al Budaiwi reaffirmed the GCC's unwavering support for the Palestinian people in Gaza and called for an end to their suffering. He emphasised the need to lift the blockade on the Gaza Strip, open all crossings to allow the entry of humanitarian aid and essential supplies, and ensure their continuous delivery to the also underscored the urgent need for international protection for the Palestinian people and called for an end to the targeting of civilians, urging full compliance with international law, international humanitarian law and relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions without another note, Al Budaiwi reiterated the GCC's support for joint Islamic action efforts led by the OIC since its founding. He noted that the Council's support is especially evident in key issues of priority for the Islamic highlighted the political support provided by the GCC during emergency Islamic summits and its contributions to reconstruction efforts in affected areas, as well as defending the rights of Muslim communities in international forums in line with the principle of Islamic Budaiwi added that the GCC has played a central role in combating Islamophobia and countering campaigns aimed at distorting the image of Islam, by backing the OIC's initiatives at the United Nations and adopting landmark resolutions that promote coexistence and mutual respect. He noted that GCC countries play an active role in political mediation and conflict resolution within the Islamic world, including support for dialogue between disputing parties and facilitating international consensus on sensitive issues through effective diplomatic channels.
