Ukraine's First Deputy Minister of Defense, Lieutenant General Ivan Havryliuk, discussed with a UK government delegation new opportunities for cooperation in the defense industry, localizing the production of defense products, and utilizing revenues from frozen Russian assets.
The British delegation was led by Will Green, Director of the Kindred operational group and Deputy Director of the HIRST operational group for policy matters. The delegation also included representatives from the UK Asset Recovery Agency (DESA), the UK Ministry of Defence, and the British Embassy.
From the Ukrainian side, representatives of the Ministry of Finance of Ukraine and the Ministry for Strategic Industries of Ukraine also participated in the negotiations. The First Deputy Minister of Defense informed the UK delegation about the situation at the front, potential threats, and the needs of the Ukrainian military.
"I am grateful to the United Kingdom for its powerful support in the fight for the survival of the Ukrainian nation. The situation at the frontline requires strengthening the capabilities of Ukraine's Defense Forces. Expanding military-technical cooperation between our countries will provide a new impetus and activate the defense production of both countries. New technologies, new investments – these are new opportunities for us, strengthening Ukraine's defense potential in the difficult struggle with the aggressor," emphasized Lieutenant General Ivan Havryliuk.
The parties discussed signing contracts within the framework of the Agreement between the Government of Ukraine and the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland regarding official credit support for Ukraine's defense capabilities. The UK side proposed several projects to meet Ukraine's needs for missile weapons and air defense systems. In particular, there was talk of the possibility of using revenues from frozen Russian assets to purchase British-made missiles.
The Kindred operational group is determining what weapons from the UK's existing stockpiles can be sent to Ukraine.
The HIRST operational group is an intergovernmental group from the United Kingdom aimed at stimulating industrial production in the UK and international cooperation in support of Ukraine, including collaboration with Ukrainian companies.
