Kyiv and the US are seeking to transfer weapons production to Ukraine

The statement comes at a time when there are growing doubts about Western support for the Ukrainians’ fight against the Russian invasion.

Since the beginning of the war, Ukraine has been dependent on weapons and ammunition sent by the West. However, almost two years later, Europe and the United States are growing tired of providing greater financial and military aid to Kyiv.

“In the memorandum, the localization of the defense industry in Ukraine is one of the main priorities,” said a statement issued by the Ukrainian presidency. “The document will facilitate the construction of production facilities in our country to provide the armed forces with the necessary weapons, especially in the areas of air defense, production, repair and maintenance of the most important ammunition.”

The presidency said the plans were drawn up at a defense industry conference between Ukrainian and US manufacturers in Washington this week.

“The event was attended by about 350 American, Ukrainian and European industrialists and government officials,” the report states.

This year, Russian President Vladimir Putin said that without the support of Europe and the United States, Ukraine would collapse in a week.

Germany’s defense minister recently admitted that the European Union will not meet its goal of sending one million shells to Ukraine in one year.

Several major Western arms manufacturers, including Germany’s Rheinmetall and Britain’s BAE Systems, have already announced plans to cooperate with Ukrainian companies domestically.