Ukraine has reached a level of high-tech weapons production that could surpass Russian capabilities in the long term.
President Vladimir Zelensky stated this in Telegram following a meeting of the headquarters of the Supreme Commander-in-Chief, Ukrinform reports.
“I held a meeting of the headquarters. An important achievement of our state and our weapons manufacturers is that Ukraine has achieved the ability to produce such a volume of high-tech weapons that in the long term can exceed the capabilities of Russia. Today we have focused most of our attention on this,” Zelensky said.
He said the discussion with defense manufacturers focused on what is needed “from the state, from administrative decisions and funding, to maximize all types of Ukrainian capabilities and to provide deep forms of pressure on Russia, on its combat capabilities and on its ability to prolong the war.”
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The President clarified that this primarily concerns Ukrainian drones of all types, ground-based robotic systems (GRC), the missile program, electronic warfare (EW) systems and military equipment.
“Today’s discussion, which took place with the participation of weapons manufacturers, was a continuation – at the highest level of military decision-making – of consultations that took place over the past few weeks in the National Security and Defense Council, in parliament and in the Ministry of Defense,” he said.
Following the meeting, the President instructed the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Defense to concentrate on working with partners who could provide additional funding for defense production.
“I expect concrete results – agreements with partners. Investments in Ukrainian production are investments in forcing Russia to peace, and our partners should consider this as our common achievement,” he said.
In addition, Zelensky noted that Ukraine’s implementation of a strategy of “long-term sanctions and medium-term sanctions” demonstrated that limiting Russia’s ability to wage war directly depends on Russian society feeling that war has a direct impact on everyday life.
“Ukraine will continue the policy of increasing the cost of occupation for the occupiers and limiting Russia’s ability to finance the war,” Zelensky said.
The President thanked the specialists developing Ukraine’s missile program, including those working on effective ballistic missiles and a missile defense system.
“Today we effectively reviewed the capabilities and identified steps that will speed up production, testing and deployment,” he said.
Zelensky added that the meeting also separately discussed the volumes and timing of supplies of air defense systems, which Ukraine needs almost daily.
“In the coming days, the key priority of all diplomatic work, all meetings and negotiations will be the air defense of Ukraine. I am grateful to everyone who helps. I am proud of everyone who produces defense capabilities for Ukraine!” said the president.
As Ukrinform reported, Defense Minister Mikhail Fedorov previously stated that negotiations on granting Ukraine licenses for the production of long-range weapons, including SCALP missiles, are ongoing.