The Defence Industry Forum will be held in two formats: international and for companies from each participating country. Ambassador of Ukraine to France Vadym Omelchenko said in an interview with LB.ua.
Recently, President Zelenskyy stated the task of the Foreign Ministry and ambassadors to hold a defence industry forum in Ukraine by the end of the year and create production alliances between Ukrainian and foreign defence companies to repair and manufacture weapons and components in Ukraine.
"There will be two formats. First, there will be an international forum with arms manufacturers from all over the world. It will be held in October. Second, bilateral sessions for companies from each participating country will start before this event. So, the first such seminar is Ukraine-France. It will take place in late September," said Vadym Omelchenko.
He noted that 30 French companies operating in the defence industry have already agreed to attend. Ukraine will also have a large number of manufacturers.
Recently the heads of the Foreign Ministry, the Defence Ministry and the Strategic Industries Ministry discussed holding the Defence Industries Forum. The ministers signed a joint letter to partner countries and foreign defence companies inviting them to participate in the event.
At a meeting with Ukrainian ambassadors, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy emphasised that weapons are one of the priorities for Ukrainian diplomats. He tasked diplomats to work on maximising the representation of foreign companies at this forum and on specific projects.
Ukraine have negotiations with US defence industry associations and business associations that include defence companies. According to Ukraine's Ambassador to the United States Oksana Markarova in an interview with LB.ua, the key topics of negotiations with companies include maintenance and repair of equipment directly on the territory of Ukraine, creation of new joint ventures, and work with technology companies.