A strategic agreement for the development of the Ukrainian defense industry in Lithuania was reached during a meeting between the President of Lithuania, Gitanas Nausėda, and the President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelensky, in Kyiv. During the meeting, a preliminary agreement was established regarding the production of strategic weapon systems in Lithuania in collaboration with Ukraine, involving Lithuania's Minister of National Defense, Arvydas Anušauskas, Senior Advisor to the President of Ukraine on Strategic Issues, Oleksandr Kamyshin, and the Minister of Strategic Industries of Ukraine, Herman Smetanyn.
"The Ukrainian defense industry has incredible potential to become a world-class player due to its high level of knowledge based on direct combat experience, the motivation and competence of its engineers, as well as the forward-thinking mindset of key decision-makers in the sector. Lithuania will continue to invest in the Ukrainian defense industry by procuring products from Ukraine for Ukraine," said Anušauskas.
According to her, €20 million has been allocated so far, but this amount is expected to grow. The parties are aiming for even closer cooperation in developing joint Lithuanian-Ukrainian arms production both in Lithuania and Ukraine.
Kamyshin stated that the development of the defense industry in Lithuania is a strong next step that strengthens NATO's eastern flank.
For security reasons, specific types of weapons covered by the agreement are not disclosed. In the near future, joint meetings of representatives from Lithuania and Ukraine will take place in Lithuania to discuss the details of implementing the agreement, as reported by the Lithuanian Ministry of Defense.