Denys Shmyhal held a broad working meeting in Prague with the leaders of the Czech Republic, Poland, Latvia, Denmark, the Netherlands and a representative of the United States
Abroad working meeting with the leaders of the Czech Republic, Poland, Latvia, Denmark, the Netherlands and the United States, which took place in Prague on 28 May, is extremely important for military-technical cooperation. This was stated by Prime Minister of Ukraine Denys Shmyhal during a press briefing.
The meeting was also attended by Prime Minister of the Czech Republic Petr Fiala, President of Poland Andrzej Duda, Prime Minister of Latvia Evika Siliņa, Prime Minister of Denmark Mette Frederiksen and Prime Minister of the Netherlands Mark Rutte.
“Our successful counteraction to russian aggression is stopping a large-scale continental and world war. It is very important that there are leaders in Europe today who are fully aware of this. And not only are they aware, but they are acting. They are taking the necessary steps to ensure that Ukraine wins,” said Denys Shmyhal.
During a broad working meeting, the participants discussed the Czech initiative to supply Ukraine with artillery ammunition, which has already raised more than EUR 1.6 billion.
“It is essential that the ammunition is delivered on time, systematically and according to the schedule starting in June. We need the shells at the frontline as soon as possible,” the Prime Minister of Ukraine stressed.
The second issue raised during the meeting was the provision of air defence systems for Ukraine. Denys Shmyhal stressed that Ukraine needed at least 7 Patriot systems and modern combat aircraft.
The Head of the Ukrainian Government thanked Germany, which had raised about EUR 1 billion to strengthen Ukraine’s air defence. He also expressed his gratitude to Prime Minister of the Netherlands Mark Rutte for the initiative to assemble another system.
“We expect to receive the first F-16 aircraft this summer. Modern air defence systems and Western aircraft will allow us to stop the russian terror,” said Denys Shmyhal.
Another issue of the meeting was the increase in production by the Ukrainian defence industry. According to the Prime Minister of Ukraine, over the past year, Ukraine has tripled its military production.
“We are interested in establishing joint ventures, transferring technologies, building new enterprises and financing Ukrainian production facilities,” the Head of the Ukrainian Government said.
Denys Shmyhal thanked the European Union for establishing the Ukraine Assistance Fund within the European Peace Facility.
“Now we believe it is necessary to establish as soon as possible a mechanism whereby our partners will buy weapons for the Ukrainian Army from Ukrainian manufacturers with further compensation from this Fund,” the Prime Minister of Ukraine said.
Among other things, the participants of the meeting discussed the first Global Peace Summit to be held in Switzerland on 15–16 June.