**Ukraine Seeks 0.25% of Partner Countries’ GDP for Defense Production**
In a bid to strengthen its defense capabilities, Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky has called on partner countries to allocate 0.25% of their Gross Domestic Product (GDP) towards boosting Kyiv’s defense production.
This request comes ahead of the NATO summit in The Hague, where world leaders will gather to discuss security needs. Zelensky believes that Ukraine is an integral part of Europe’s security and should be supported accordingly.
**Talks with Key Partners**
Ukraine has been engaging in talks with key partners such as Denmark, Norway, Germany, the United Kingdom, and Lithuania on weapons development partnerships. These partnerships aim to increase defense cooperation between Ukraine and its allies.
The proposed spending target is seen as a crucial step towards boosting Ukraine’s defense industry and domestic production capabilities. With Russia continuing its aerial bombardments and new offensives in Ukraine, Kyiv needs all the support it can get.
**Ukraine Strikes Back**
In recent times, Ukraine has demonstrated its ability to strike back at Russian forces using domestically produced weapons. The Operation Spiderweb attack on four key military airfields in Russia was carried out entirely with Ukrainian drones.
**Denmark Pioneers Defense Support Model**
Denmark has already pioneered a new model of defense support by donating arms directly to Ukraine via purchases from the Ukrainian defense industry. Zelensky has called on other NATO members to follow this model and purchase weapons from Ukraine.
**NATO Summit: Increased Defense Spending on Agenda**
The upcoming NATO summit will focus on increased defense spending, with the United States backing a proposal to raise the spending target from 2% to 5% GDP. While some countries like Poland, the Netherlands, and Sweden have expressed willingness to consider the 5% target, others remain noncommittal.
**Ukraine’s Plea for Support**
As Ukraine continues to face intense bombardments, dwindling U.S. support, and new Russian offensives, its plea for support from partner countries has become increasingly urgent. The proposed 0.25% GDP allocation is seen as a critical step towards strengthening Kyiv’s defense capabilities.
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