Ukraine accelerates UAV production, holds partner meeting to strengthen negotiating position

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said he had issued an order to increase funding for equipping the country's brigades with new unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs).

In his nightly video address, President Zelensky announced on December 9 that he had received a report from Deputy Chief of Staff of the Ukrainian President Pavlo Palisa on providing additional funding for UAV production.

"We have just approved the budget for such direct payments. But now I see that this amount is not enough. Therefore, I have instructed the prime minister to increase funding for the brigades in the coming days, increase it many times over," Mr. Zelensky said.

Conflict map less optimistic for Ukraine as Russia accelerates offensive

Ukraine has increasingly focused on deploying UAVs in the Russia-Ukraine conflict. In October, President Zelensky said Ukraine had signed contracts to produce 1.5 million UAVs this year and had the potential to increase production to 4 million units per year.

In another development, Sergiy Nykyforov, spokesman for President Zelensky, said on December 9 that Ukraine plans to convene a meeting with key European partners in December to coordinate a common stance, ensuring Kyiv has a strong position on the battlefield and in any potential negotiations.

Russian President Volodymyr Zelensky (left) and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Oleksandr Syrskyi in Kyiv (Ukraine) on December 6, 2024

"Ukraine is gathering important European partners who, together with the United States, can ensure maximum strengthening of our state," said Sergiy Nykyforov. The list of participating countries is still being worked out, Nykyforov said.

Mr Nykyforov added that the participating countries should include those that possess long-range weapons, invest in Ukrainian arms production and can decide Ukraine's future in the NATO alliance.

Ukraine is stepping up efforts to appeal for help from supportive countries, especially ahead of the inauguration of US President-elect Donald Trump on January 20, 2025.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/ukraine-tang-toc-san-xuat-uav-sap-hop-doi-tac-de-cung-co-vi-the-dam-phan-185241210071827431.htm