Shmyhal proposes naval drone cooperation with New Zealand

Ukrainian Defense Minister Denys Shmyhal has offered New Zealand cooperation in the production of naval drones and invited it to participate in financing rehabilitation programs for Ukrainian military and civilians released from captivity.

Shmyhal announced this following a meeting in Kyiv with the country's Defense Minister Judith Collins and the Commander-in-Chief of the New Zealand Armed Forces, Air Marshal Tony Davis, on Telegram on Thursday.

According to Shmyhal, at the meeting he informed the New Zealand delegation about the current situation on the battlefield and the key needs of the army. The parties discussed the priorities of bilateral cooperation in the field of defense. In particular, Shmyhal proposed to consider the possibilities of cooperation in the production of naval drones.

Other topics of the meeting included: prospects for a bilateral security agreement, participation in the Coalition of the Willing, and humanitarian projects.

"I have proposed that New Zealand participate in financing rehabilitation programs for Ukrainian military and civilians released from captivity," Shmyhal said.

The Minister expressed gratitude to New Zealand for its assistance in countering the Russian shadow fleet and called on partners to continue and intensify sanctions pressure on the aggressor, in particular on the issue of confiscating frozen Russian assets. "We also highly appreciate the participation of New Zealand instructors in the Interflex training program for Ukrainian military personnel," he added.

"We thank New Zealand for its unwavering support," Shmyhal said.