Ukraine seeks to initiate joint arms production with Bulgaria - Zelenskyy
Volodymyr Zelenskyy, President of Ukraine (Vitalii Nosach, RBC-Ukraine)
Ukraine is interested in starting joint defense production with Bulgaria. This way, our country will be able to cover its needs, according to President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy during a joint press conference with Bulgarian Prime Minister Nikolay Denkov.
The Head of State says that during the talks with Denkov, he had informed him about the situation at the front, the main needs of Ukrainian defenders, and the next steps of our country.
Zelenskyy thanks Bulgaria for supporting Ukraine's efforts in the Black Sea to expand trade channels and restore shipping.
According to the President, Kyiv has agreed with Sofia to improve Ukrainian logistics and infrastructure.
"Ukraine is very interested in joint (defense - ed.) production with Bulgaria. With other countries as well, but first of all with those who have great potential in the defense sector. I think this will be a high-quality cooperation because Bulgaria will be able to get both jobs and money in its economy. And for Ukraine, I believe we will cover the deficit needs that we have today," Zelenskyy says.
He clarifies that they want to cooperate with Bulgaria not only during the war but also after it is over.
The President notes that Bulgaria is also helping to establish the truth about Russian war crimes and is ready to join the work to bring Russia to justice for the crime of aggression.
Joint defense production
Ukraine is now actively negotiating with other countries on joint defense production.
In particular, Ukraine and Belgium recently signed a memorandum on joint arms production.
Also, the German defense company Rheinmetall will launch its plant in Ukraine this year. It will start joint production of weapons and repair of Western equipment.
