Ukraine and the United States will organize a conference on the military industry in December, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyi announced on Friday evening.

Kyiv is intensifying its efforts to produce its own weapons amid fears that supplies from the West may be reduced, writes News.ro. He also hopes that joint ventures with international arms manufacturers will help revive his domestic industry.

“We are actively advancing with the United States in terms of joint production of weapons. During my visit to Washington, President Joe Biden and I agreed on concrete steps we can take together. This will undoubtedly strengthen both Americans and Ukrainians, as well as our partners,” said Volodymyr Zelenskyi in his speech on Friday evening.

“Co-production always improves opportunities. In recent days, during the negotiations in which Andriy Yermak and our government team participated, we discussed specific details. In December, a special conference will be held, which will be attended by representatives of Ukrainian and American industry, government officials and other state entities – everyone involved in the organization of our defense. We are preparing a significant event, a continuation of the Defense Industry Forum, which took place in September. Now there is a forum in Washington and relevant works on weapons both in Ukraine and in the USA. Thank you to the United States of America – President Biden, his team and Congress – bipartisan for supporting us. I also want to give special recognition to the American defense companies and partners in Europe – all those who really give meaning to the concept of protecting freedom. In these times, we all have to be as efficient as possible so that the lives of our children and grandchildren are not stolen by war,” Zelenskyy continued.

The Kyiv leader said that at a new meeting of the General Staff, he was presented with a report for the next year and on the provision of defense forces.

“Today we had a meeting of the General Staff, with a detailed report by the Minister of Defense on the provision of the defense forces next year. Every direction and aspect – ammunition, weapons, equipment and supplies. What is currently lacking, and what objectively needs to be supplemented, taking into account the plans of our active actions. The Minister of Strategic Industries reported on the own production of weapons and ammunition – the task of increasing production is being achieved. This is extremely important, and I am grateful to all the employees of our OPC, as well as our partners who help us. We also discussed the implementation of the Ukrainian missile program launched in 2021. Everyone sees that every year its results become more long-term and more favorable for Ukraine and more unpleasant for the enemy, as it should be. There will be more results.”

Zelensky: “We will find resources to restore universities damaged or destroyed by Russian attacks”

Zelenskyi also reported that Finland has decided on a new support package for Ukraine: “Today there is also good news regarding defense packages for our soldiers – Finland has decided on a new package. Thanks for that. We have already received 20 support packages from Finland. All this strengthens not only us, but also the entire eastern flank of Europe. Because when Ukraine is strong and independent, all of Europe can feel protected from Russian aggression.”

Volodymyr Zelenskyi also noted that resources will be found to restore universities destroyed by Russian attacks.

“Today I started a special meeting with the Minister of Finance and government officials responsible for the education sector. There are many sensitive questions that millions of Ukrainian students are waiting for. These include scholarship resources and specific information on innovation in higher education. We also discussed everything necessary to strengthen professional education in Ukraine. Everything was very specific, as it should be on Student’s Day. Of course, it would be right for the Minister of Education to present much of what we have been talking about. Nice stuff. We guarantee scholarships to students and are looking for opportunities to increase them. We will find resources to rebuild universities damaged or destroyed by Russian attacks. Today I visited one of the Ukrainian universities – Mariupol State University. He was transferred to Kyiv and works. The main thing is that they keep faith in Ukraine, in our people and faith in the fact that Ukraine will be free – all of Ukraine. I talked to the students. Thank you for your sincerity and energy. I wish all our Ukrainian students to achieve in Ukraine, for Ukraine, absolutely dignified, modern and beneficial for themselves and the country,” said Zelenskyy.

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