Ukraine and the United States have agreed to launch joint weapons production in a step that will enable Kyiv to start producing air defence systems.
President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said this on Friday as he wrapped up a visit to the U.S.
In his daily address to Ukrainians, Zelenskiy said the long-term agreement would create jobs and a new industrial base in Ukraine, whose economy has been devastated by Russia’s invasion and war.
“It was a very important visit to Washington, very important results,” Zelenskiy said in a video posted on the presidential website on Friday morning.
“And a long-term agreement – we will work together so that Ukraine produces the necessary weapons together with the United States. Co-production in the defence (sector) with the United States is a historic thing.”
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Kyiv has stepped up efforts to boost domestic weapons production as much as possible because 19 months of war has created a huge demand for arms and ammunition to fend off Russian attacks along a 1,000 km (620 mile) front line.
Russian air strikes across Ukraine have caused widespread damage and killed many people.
(Editor: Oloyede Oworu)
