President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine has made a significant appeal to his Western allies, urging them to allocate 0.25% of their GDP to bolster Ukraine's weapons production capacity. In a statement released by the presidential office on Saturday, Zelensky outlined that the nation is gearing up for agreements related to the export of weapons manufacturing technology this summer.
Zelensky emphasized that Ukraine is currently in discussions with Denmark, Norway, Germany, Canada, the United Kingdom, and Lithuania to initiate joint production of arms. The Ukrainian President sees this as an issue not just for Ukraine, but for the entire European continent's security.
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Rising Demand for Weapons and Ammunition
President Zelensky stated, "Ukraine is an integral part of Europe's security, and we wish for every partner nation to allocate 0.25% of their GDP to our defense industry and domestic production." In the ongoing war with Russia, which vastly surpasses Ukraine in weapons and military resources, the demand for new weapons and ammunition continues to surge. Consequently, domestic arms production has now become a pivotal focus for the nation's priorities.
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$43 Billion Raised
Furthermore, President Zelensky revealed that Ukraine has successfully raised $43 billion this year for domestic weapons manufacturing. This strategy not only fortifies the country's defense capacities but is also seen as a substantial step towards long-term self-reliance. During the ongoing three-year conflict with Russia, numerous Ukrainian cities have been completely destroyed. Zelensky has consistently warned that while Ukraine is the current target, Europe could be next.
