“Produce with Ukraine in Ukraine”: Rustem Umerov and Jan Lipavský discussed a new level of defense partnership

Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine Rustem Umerov held talks in Kyiv with Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic Jan Lipavsky. The main focus was on long-term support for Ukraine in the war with Russia, deepening defense cooperation, and maximizing sanctions pressure on the aggressor.

The Czech Republic confirmed its readiness to continue implementing a large-scale initiative to supply artillery ammunition. Rustem Umerov thanked the Czech people for their “unwavering solidarity and substantial support” and stressed that the sanctions front must be synchronized by the efforts of all partners.

“Sanctions remain a powerful tool for influencing Russia, and according to the task set by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the National Security and Defense Council must become the driving force in this process,” Rustem Umerov emphasized, calling on Prague to further increase pressure on the Kremlin.

A separate topic was the development of joint defense projects. The NSDC secretary proposed that Czech partners create and produce weapons directly in Ukraine:

“Produce with Ukraine in Ukraine,” Umerov urged, stressing that investments in Ukraine's military industry are a contribution to the security of all of Europe.

Both sides confirmed that the Ukrainian-Czech partnership has already become an example of effective cooperation and has strategic potential for strengthening collective security and democratic values.