Zelensky Aims to Start Joint Weapons Production with the U.S.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced today, following a visit to the United States, that "we and the United States have agreed to start joint weapons production, a step that will enable Kyiv to begin producing air defense systems." In his daily address to Ukrainians, he pointed out that "the long-term agreement will provide job opportunities and a new industrial base in Ukraine, which has been ravaged by war and the Russian attack on its economy." Zelensky confirmed that "we will work together until Ukraine produces the necessary weapons in cooperation with the United States. Joint production in the defense sector with the United States is a historic step." He added that "the Ministry of Strategic Industries, which oversees weapons production in Ukraine, has signed cooperation agreements with three agencies, uniting the efforts of more than two thousand U.S. defense companies regarding future work opportunities in Ukraine."