Kyiv will open offices in Berlin and Copenhagen this year to coordinate joint weapons production and exports to third countries, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced today. The move is part of an effort to expand Ukraine’s domestic defence industry with Western partners as the country continues to resist Russian aggression in its fourth year.
Key points:
- New production/export offices: Berlin and Copenhagen will host Ukrainian offices to manage joint manufacturing and third-party exports.
- Weapons covered: Zelensky said Kyiv will be able to export items such as maritime drones and artillery systems produced through these partnerships.
- Purpose: Revenues from exports will be reinvested to fund production of critically needed domestic weapons that Ukraine cannot yet afford at scale.
- Ongoing dependencies: Ukraine remains dependent on allies for high-end systems (fighters, air-defence), but has advanced drone and rocket programs.
- Mass production plans: Ukraine aims to begin large-scale production of domestically developed rockets — Flamingo and Ruta — by the end of this year.
Zelensky framed the initiative as both a strategic industrial expansion and a practical step to generate funds for Ukraine’s own defence manufacturing needs. While the country continues to rely on allied supplies for some capabilities, partnerships with European firms could accelerate Kyiv’s self-sufficiency in drones, artillery, and missiles.
