Ukraine and France have agreed to start joint weapons production, Ukraine's defence minister said on Monday, after hosting his French counterpart in Kyiv.
France has been an important ally for Ukraine since Russia launched its invasion nearly four years ago, supplying Kyiv with military aid and political backing.
The two countries signed a letter of intent paving the way for "large-scale joint projects in the defence-industrial sector", Defence Minister Mykhailo Fedorov wrote on Telegram after meeting his French counterpart Catherine Vautrin in Kyiv.
He did not specify what arms would be produced with France or when manufacturing would be launched.
"We are moving from supplies to joint production and long-term solutions that systematically strengthen our defence," Fedorov wrote.
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Ukraine and France also discussed new shipments of French weapons and military equipment to Kyiv, including of Aster missiles, Mirage 2000 fighter jets and SAMP-T air defence systems.
"France stands and will remain by the Ukrainian people's side," Vautrin wrote on social media platform X on Sunday.
France said last year it would release two billion euros ($2.4 billion) in military aid for Kyiv.
In November, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron signed a letter of intent for the possible provision of up to 100 Rafale fighter jets – the crown jewel of French combat aviation – to Ukraine.
Talks in Florida
Meanwhile, Zelensky told reporters at the weekend that the United States has offered to host peace talks between the two sides in Florida this week, with a goal of "ending the war by June".
US-led efforts to end Europe's deadliest conflict since World War II have stepped up a gear in recent weeks, but Moscow and Kyiv remain at odds over the key issue of territory.
Russia, which occupies around 20 percent of its neighbour, is pushing for full control of Ukraine's eastern Donetsk region as part of any deal and has threatened to take it by force if talks fail.
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But Ukraine says ceding ground will embolden Moscow and has signalled it will not sign an agreement that fails to deter Russia from invading again.
Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022, describing it as a "special military operation" to prevent the expansion of NATO, a war aim that Kyiv has called a pretext for an illegal land grab.
The conflict has resulted in a massive wave of destruction that has left entire cities in ruins and killed tens of thousands of soldiers and civilians, while forcing millions to flee their homes.
(with AFP)
