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Ukraine Plans Global Expansion of Defense Industry With New Funding Deals, Says Zelenskyy

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Maryna_kulakova
Maryna Kulakova
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Ukraine Plans Global Expansion of Defense Industry With New Funding Deals, Says Zelenskyy
Servicemen of a special unit of a special forces police battalion carry out aerial reconnaissance with the help of a Domakha drone in the Donetsk region, Ukraine, on May 2, 2025. (Source: Getty Images)

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy outlined significant progress in securing stable funding for Ukraine’s defense industry through bilateral agreements with international partners. Zelenskyy stated this during a press briefing with journalists on May 27, according to a UNITED24 Media correspondent.

“Because we had billions of dollars or euros committed. Somewhere the real amount was more than 20 billion” from partner countries, ensuring sustained financial support independent of wider multilateral decisions that can sometimes face delays or blockades.

“For example, Germany and Norway alone are providing 14 billion [dollars/euros]. These are serious steps forward,” Zelenskyy noted, adding that some funds from these countries are also invested in their own defense industries—an expected practice.

Zelenskyy also highlighted advancements in Ukraine’s missile program, calling it “a big, complex story called Ukrainian ballistics.” He explained that these new initiatives require additional funding, separate from the existing bilateral defense financing agreements, and that Ukraine is actively working to increase investment in this area.

Zelenskyy outlined two key steps: increasing missile development funding and securing financial and security guarantees for Ukraine’s unique defense production lines. To support this, Ukraine plans to establish production facilities abroad, allowing partners to co-invest and access advanced technologies.

“We will solve two problems: additional financing for us and giving partners the tools they need after our war ends,” Zelenskyy said, adding that new overseas production lines are expected this year.

Previously, it was reported that Patriot air defense systems remain effective against Russian ballistic missiles, despite the use of decoys and trajectory-shifting technology, according to the Ukrainian Air Force.

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