Ukrainian Ambassador Urges German Businesses To Shift Toward Defense Production

(MENAFN- UkrinForm) This was stated by Ukraine's Ambassador to Germany Oleksii Makeiev during his speech at the New Age Defence Berlin conference in Berlin, according to an Ukrinform correspondent.

“Last week, the Federal President invited me, along with all ambassadors accredited in Berlin, to visit the Saarland region. We visited this beautiful area and also toured Villeroy & Boch, a company that produces high-quality sanitary ware and bathroom equipment. They proudly explained how everything operates and told us, 'We actually work 24/7.' And then I simply asked: 'How is it that toilets are produced around the clock, while weapons are manufactured no more than 40 hours a week?'” the Ambassador said.

He stressed that Ukraine has been living under constant threat for years and operates under conditions of maximum resource mobilization.

“So, this is the question. In Ukraine, we work 24 hours a day, seven days a week because we have that sense of urgency. That feeling has still not fully arrived in Germany, and this is a major problem for the emerging defense markets we are seeing today,” Makeiev noted.

At the same time, he emphasized that the German federal government understands the scale of the threats and the importance of supporting Ukraine.

“The German government has realized this and is ensuring substantial assistance for Ukraine. Germany ranks first in terms of military and financial support for Ukraine. What is lacking, however, is precisely this sense of urgency among broader segments of society and within industry itself,” the diplomat said.

Makeiev also highlighted the growing cooperation between the Ukrainian and German defense sectors, noting that a culture of joint production has effectively been revived.

According to the Ambassador, Ukraine and Germany have established the conditions necessary for the development of joint defense projects.

“As the Ukrainian government, we provide the legal framework for such cooperation. The German government finances many of these joint ventures to ensure that their products truly meet the needs of the Ukrainian end user. We have also created a unique feedback channel with manufacturers so they know what works well and what needs improvement.”

Read also: Ukraine seeking Patriot missiles from Germany in exchange for future interceptors – Bloomberg

The Ambassador called on German companies to become more actively involved in defense-industrial cooperation with Ukraine.

“For many companies here in Germany, this is an open invitation: start cooperating with Ukrainian companies, invest capital, and redirect your production toward defense technologies,” he said.

Makeiev also stressed the need for a change in German public attitudes toward the defense industry and weapons production.

“It is time to overcome the barrier that views weapons as something inherently bad.”

According to the diplomat, German society should recognize the need to be prepared to defend its own security. He also urged European partners to draw on Ukraine's experience in modern warfare.

“For both Ukraine and NATO, the main adversary is Russia. Therefore, learn from Ukraine how to fight and defeat Russia,” the Ambassador said.

He added:“And it is a good feeling to know that Russia is not the second-strongest army in the world, but the second-strongest army in Ukraine.”

As previously reported by Ukrinform, the New Age Defence Berlin security forum was held in Berlin on June 8, focusing on the development of defense technologies, unmanned systems, and artificial intelligence based on Ukraine's wartime experience.

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