Ukraine-Russia war update: Zelensky calls on Biden to lift ‘all restrictions’ on weapons as US president ‘prepares’ for NATO speech | World news

Ukraine has signed a contract for ammunition production with a major US arms manufacturer.

The state-owned arms company Ukroboronprom and Northrop Grumman have agreed to produce medium-caliber ammunition according to NATO standards for Ukraine.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky signed the contract in Washington at a meeting with the management of leading US defense companies.

The parties also discussed the prospects of joint production of defense goods, especially ammunition, air defense systems, weapons, armored vehicles and drones, as well as the repair and maintenance of military equipment, according to a statement by the Ukrainian president.

“We are extremely grateful for your cooperation and support for Ukraine since the beginning of the all-out war,” Mr Zelensky said at the meeting.

“You have helped us a lot to protect freedom, democracy, our people, our families and children.”

The meeting was attended by five of the world’s six largest defense companies, and Zelensky invited them to enter the Ukrainian market and cooperate with local companies.

For context: Since the outbreak of war in 2022, Ukraine has been trying to build up its domestic defense sector.

The country called on its allies to establish joint ventures, invest in Ukrainian companies and order Ukrainian weapons.

Last year, Kiev agreed with two US companies to jointly produce important 155mm artillery shells in Ukraine. However, production was not expected to begin for at least two years.

Last month, Ukroboronprom launched a partnership with German defense company Rheinmetall to set up a workshop for the repair and production of armored vehicles in Ukraine.