Ukraine’s Foreign Minister, Dmytro Kuleba, revealed that the European Union has delivered approximately 300,000 shells out of the promised million to Ukraine furing a NATO meeting in Brussels. Kuleba emphasized the need for closer collaboration between Ukraine and NATO in the defense industry to ensure a robust supply for Kyiv’s efforts against Russia’s invasion since February 2022.
Kuleba advocated for the establishment of a Euro-Atlantic common defense area, emphasizing that it would not only bolster Ukraine’s security but also contribute to the protection of NATO countries.
In recent months, Kyiv has actively sought to attract major global arms manufacturers to establish operations in Ukraine, aiming to diversify its sources of weapons and ammunition beyond reliance on allies. Kuleba reported a “productive” meeting with Slovak Foreign Minister Juraj Blanar, addressing Slovakia’s President Robert Fico’s earlier promise to halt military aid to Ukraine. Fico clarified that he would not obstruct arms purchases from private companies and affirmed the continuity of contracts between Ukrainian and Slovak companies involved in weapon production. Additionally, the maintenance hub for Ukrainian heavy equipment in Slovakia will persist.