Ukraine is focusing on technological superiority in the war and counting on US support, says Evgeniy Khmara
Ukraine is focusing on asymmetric action, on making the Defence Forces more technological, and on developing the capabilities that give us the edge over the russian army.
Acting Minister of Defence of Ukraine Evgeniy Khmara said this following a meeting with US Permanent Representative to NATO Matthew Whitaker in Kyiv.
The meeting was also attended by US Chargé d’Affaires ad interim in Ukraine Sandra Oudkirk and Lieutenant General Curtis A. Buzzard, Commander of the NATO Security Assistance and Training for Ukraine (NSATU) and the Security Assistance Group – Ukraine (SAG-U).
Ukraine is focusing on asymmetric action and technology. We count on continued strong support from the United States.
The Acting Minister of Defence thanked the United States for its critically important support for Ukraine, for rallying the efforts of partners, and for helping to supply air defense missiles under the Prioritized Ukraine Requirements List (PURL) initiative.
A new military leadership team
Evgeniy Khmara introduced the new military leadership team to the American side: Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Major General Mykhailo Drapatyi and Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Major General Ihor Skybiuk.
With Commander-in-Chief Mykhailo Drapatyi we have strong synergy and a shared vision of this war: technological superiority, asymmetric solutions, and more capabilities to destroy the enemy.
The Ukrainian side briefed the partners on the situation at the front and on the steps Ukraine is taking to compel russia to accept a just peace.
The partners, in turn, noted that Ukraine’s position on the battlefield is growing stronger. Ukraine, for its part, is working to ensure that various types of drones, unmanned ground vehicles (UGVs), and network-centric operations give the Defence Forces the edge over the russian army.
A critical need: protecting the skies
A separate focus of the meeting was strengthening Ukrainian air defense.
Evgeniy Khmara stressed the need to accelerate deliveries of PAC-3 and PAC-2 GEM-T interceptor missiles as much as possible in order to counter russian ballistic strikes.
Delivering these missiles quickly saves Ukrainian lives, protects cities, and helps safeguard Ukraine’s defense industry.
Joint production of Patriot missiles and cooperation on drones
The two sides discussed launching joint production and localization of Patriot missiles under the agreements reached between President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy and President of the United States Donald Trump.
Another important area is mutually beneficial cooperation on drones. Ukraine is ready to share with the United States its unique experience of modern technological warfare.
Evgeniy Khmara thanked the United States for its strong support of Ukraine on the path to a just peace.