Rustem Umerov called on NATO allies to invest in Ukraine’s defense industry and foster the development of joint projects

During a NATO-Ukraine Council meeting, Ukraine’s Defence Minister Rustem Umerov called on NATO defense ministers to invest in the Ukrainian defense industry.

The Defence Minister underscored the importance of cooperation among partners and highlighted that not only does Ukraine need the Alliance, but NATO also needs Ukraine’s experience and potential.

Rustem Umerov expressed gratitude to the allies for their support, stressing that Ukraine is actively building its own defense capabilities. He specifically highlighted the potential of Ukraine's DeepStrike capabilities.

The Defence Minister also called on partners to initiate joint production and focus on air defense and long-range systems. Meanwhile, despite the war, Ukraine will persist in implementing reforms and enhancing integration into the Alliance, demonstrating readiness for membership.