Zelensky announces creation of international alliance for weapons production

Kyiv hosted the first international defense forum DFNC1, which is aimed at establishing cooperation between the world's leading companies and Ukraine. At the forum, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced the creation of a new alliance of arms manufacturers who are ready to unite to help Ukraine.

"Today we are announcing the creation of the Alliance of Defense Industries. An alliance that values international law and is able to work for the real protection of international law and security. I am talking not only about Ukraine, but also about security from aggression of all nations in the world," he said at the forum.

Zelenskyy also added that Kyiv is ready to offer "special conditions" to firms that decide to manufacture weapons in Ukraine. He also announced the creation of a special fund to be replenished, in particular, through the sale of confiscated Russian assets.

"We are creating joint ventures and service centers, which helps to gradually integrate the Ukrainian defense industry into the defense industry environment of partner countries," explained Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal.

Separately, it is planned to create a special fund to support military personnel, develop military infrastructure and develop new technologies. Funding will be provided by dividends from state-owned defense enterprises, as well as profits from the sale of confiscated Russian assets, the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry said.

The forum was attended by representatives of 252 defense companies from more than 30 countries in Europe, America, Asia and Australia. The alliance has already been joined by 38 companies from 19 countries.

Background. Kamyshin said that during the Forum, Ukrainian defense companies signed more than 20 agreements with international partners.