Ukraine's foreign minister urges Western partners to fund weapons from country's defence industry for Ukrainian troops

Ukraine's Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha has called on partners to finance the Ukrainian domestic defence industry's production of weapons essential for Ukrainian forces, which would help boost military aid.

Sybiha noted social media that Ukraine's defence industry is developing rapidly and could produce more than it currently does if additional investment is made.

"It is also faster and cheaper for our partners.  Every dollar or euro invested today in Ukrainian weapons for Ukrainian warriors is the best security investment for long-term Euro-Atlantic stability. Some of our partners already buy from Ukrainian manufacturers. We urge them to increase investment, and others to follow suit," he said.

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy reported that he raised the issue of investing in Ukrainian long-range weapon production during the first visit of new Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof to Ukraine.

During the recent meeting between Ukraine's Defence Minister Rustem Umierov and his French counterpart Sébastien Lecornu, they discussed the development of joint weapons production and co-financing initiatives.