Both the EU and Ukraine can manufacture weapons under U.S. licenses: statements at the G7
17 June 19:03
The ramp-up of weapons production under licenses granted by the United States to address the acute shortage may take place at factories in both European Union countries and Ukraine, said Friedrich Merz, Chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany, on the sidelines of the G7 summit in Évian-les-Bains, France. Responding to journalists’ questions about whether German arms companies would be involved in weapons production in the context of the licensed arms production in Ukraine mentioned in the G7 final declaration, "Komersant Ukrainian" reports.
“Specific licenses related to this will be discussed in detail among the participating states. Indeed, this concerns comprehensive licensing agreements, in particular those granted by American companies to European manufacturers,” Merz said.
He expressed gratitude to U.S. President Donald Trump and all members of the American delegation for their “truly high level of willingness to cooperate.” However, the chancellor did not specify exactly which weapons were being discussed.
“We all face the problem that we are currently producing too little. And this can be offset by granting licenses to companies that have these production capacities. And this applies to both European and Ukrainian companies,” said Merz.
As previously reported, on Tuesday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that Trump had reacted positively to the proposal to grant Ukraine licenses to produce anti-ballistic missiles and that he hopes Trump will agree to such a step.
G7 Outcomes
On Wednesday, the leaders of the “Group of Seven” (G7) adopted a final statement in which they declared their unwavering support for Ukraine and noted positive developments on the front lines; they announced their intention to urgently increase the supply of air defense systems and long-range weapons, and proposed an unprecedented solution—granting licenses to manufacture Western weapons directly in Ukraine.
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The statement notes that the G7 countries agree to increase the supply of air defense capabilities, additional systems and interceptors, as well as long-range weapons.
“We are also prepared to consider extending licenses to Ukraine, which would allow for an increase in Ukraine’s military production,” the document states.
In early June, Zelenskyy said that Ukraine is working with European and American partners to begin production in European countries of air defense systems capable of shooting down ballistic missiles.
At that time, Zelenskyy emphasized that negotiations were ongoing with the U.S. administration regarding the localization of Patriot missile production in Ukraine.
In late May, Zelenskyy stated that the production of anti-ballistic missiles in the U.S. was insufficient and that Ukraine was critically dependent on them. According to him, Germany holds some licenses for the production of such missiles, and he has repeatedly appealed to the U.S. side to grant Ukraine licenses to increase production of missiles for the Patriot systems, which, according to the president, would be very beneficial for Ukraine, the Middle East, and “anyone the United States decides to help.”
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