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Posts published in “Manufacturing”

Ukraine and France Move Forward with Defence Industry Partnerships

In a crucial meeting held on January 18, 2025, Ukraine’s Minister for Strategic Industry, Herman Smetanin, met with Pierre Elbron, the French President’s Special Envoy for Ukraine’s Assistance and Reconstruction, and French Ambassador Gael Vessier to discuss expanding cooperation in the defence sector. The talks followed previous agreements made between the two countries in 2024, focused on enhancing military industrial collaboration.

Smetanin shared that last year, Ukraine and France signed several key agreements regarding defence industry cooperation. Many of these agreements are already in progress, with some requiring additional political support to move forward. The discussion centred around how both nations could work together more effectively, with a specific focus on accelerating the implementation of these defence initiatives.

The meeting also led to an agreement to establish a bilateral infrastructure to help streamline communication and resolution of any outstanding issues. Smetanin expressed gratitude to the French government for their continued support of Ukraine’s defence sector, emphasising the importance of quick and effective collaboration to strengthen Ukraine’s military capacity amidst its ongoing struggle against Russian aggression.

On June 7, 2024, Smetanin and the French Minister of Armed Forces signed a declaration of intent to further their cooperation in the defence industry, setting the stage for the discussions that took place in this recent meeting. This latest development signals a continued commitment between the two countries to support Ukraine’s defence needs, as Russia’s ongoing aggression continues to pose a grave threat to Ukraine’s sovereignty.