We need effective tools to deter russian aggression
On 25 October, Prime Minister of Ukraine Denys Shmyhal met with members of the Subcommittee on Security and Defence (SEDE) of the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the European Parliament chaired by Marie-Agnes Strack-Zimmermann in Kyiv.
The meeting also featured Olha Stefanishyna, Deputy Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration of Ukraine and Minister of Justice of Ukraine, Herman Smetanin, Minister of Strategic Industries of Ukraine, and Ivan Havryliuk, First Deputy Minister of Defence of Ukraine.
The parties focused on the issues of European and Euro-Atlantic integration and the security situation in Ukraine in the light of new challenges.
"We need effective tools to deter russian aggression. We call on our international partners to lift any restrictions on the use of Western weapons," Denys Shmyhal stressed.
The Prime Minister thanked the EU for allocating the first EUR 1.4 billion of the proceeds of frozen russian assets for defence needs.
"It is important that EUR 400 million will be used to support the Ukrainian defence industry. We expect that the volume of direct purchases from Ukrainian producers will continue to grow," the Head of Government said.
According to the Prime Minister, Ukraine has already invested USD 4 billion in the development of its industry, and next year it is planned to increase funding. Therefore, our state needs additional investments in the defence industry.
"Our priority is the production of domestic drones and long-range weapons," Denys Shmyhal stressed.
The participants of the meeting discussed the Victory Plan of the President of Ukraine, as well as the effective functioning of Ukraine Assistance Fund within the European Peace Fund and the European plan to supply 1 million pieces of artillery ammunition.
The Prime Minister thanked the MEPs for supporting important initiatives of the European Parliament that strengthen and reinforce Ukraine.