Ukraine is moving forward with early plans to jointly produce weapons with some of its international allies, officials confirmed, even as the United States announced a halt to certain promised arms shipments intended to support Ukraine’s defense against Russia.
The developments come at a critical stage in Russia’s full-scale invasion, now nearing three and a half years. A renewed Russian offensive aimed at seizing more Ukrainian territory is putting Ukraine’s overstretched defenses under extreme pressure, while Russian missiles and drones continue to pound Ukrainian cities. At the same time, U.S.-led diplomatic efforts to broker a peace deal have reached a standstill.
With the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump pulling back from support for Ukraine’s war effort, European nations are facing increased responsibility to pressure Russia.
French President Emmanuel Macron and Russian President Vladimir Putin spoke by phone on Tuesday for the first time in nearly three years. According to Macron’s office, during their two-hour conversation, Macron reaffirmed France’s “unwavering support for Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity” and called for a ceasefire.
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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said preparations are underway for upcoming meetings with European Union member states and other allies to discuss defense industry cooperation.
“One of the main topics will be weapons production — joint investments, joint projects,” Zelenskyy said in his nightly address on Tuesday.
Defense Minister Rustem Umerov announced that draft legislation enabling joint weapons production with international partners will be presented to Ukraine’s parliament later this month. Umerov stated that national defense companies reviewed the proposed laws on Tuesday.
The plan includes establishing special legal and tax measures to support Ukrainian defense manufacturers in expanding and modernizing production. This could involve building new weapons manufacturing facilities both inside Ukraine and abroad, according to Umerov.
Earlier this week, German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul visited Kyiv, where he pledged Germany’s support to help Ukraine accelerate domestic weapons production. He was joined by representatives from Germany’s defense industry.
Meanwhile, U.S. officials confirmed Tuesday that certain weapons deliveries to Ukraine are being paused over concerns that U.S. stockpiles have fallen to dangerously low levels. These weapons were pledged under the previous Biden administration, but the Pentagon did not specify which systems are being withheld.
In response, Ukraine’s Foreign Ministry summoned the U.S. chargé d’affaires, John Hinkel, on Wednesday for discussions on defense cooperation. Deputy Foreign Minister Maryana Betsa expressed gratitude for U.S. assistance but underscored the “critical importance” of delivering the previously promised defense packages, particularly to strengthen Ukraine’s air defense.
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Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov reacted by saying that the Pentagon’s move could bring a negotiated settlement closer, stating, “The fewer weapons supplied to Ukraine, the closer the end of the war is.”
The U.S. has been Ukraine’s largest military supporter since Russia launched its full-scale invasion on February 24, 2022. However, since Trump took office, Washington has announced no new military or weapons aid for Ukraine.
According to Germany’s Kiel Institute, which tracks global military support, the U.S. provided no new assistance to Ukraine between March and April this year. For the first time since June 2022, European nations surpassed the U.S. in total military aid, contributing 72 billion euros ($85 billion) compared to the U.S.’s 65 billion euros ($77 billion), the institute reported last month.
Washington’s latest decision could deprive Ukraine of some of its most advanced battlefield weaponry. Analysts say Europe can help fill some gaps by supplying artillery systems, but there are no European alternatives to key U.S.-made weapons like HIMARS missile launchers and Patriot air defense systems, both vital for protecting Ukrainian cities from Russian airstrikes.
Ukraine's current stockpile levels and its most urgent defense needs remain unclear.