Ukraine will produce 10 million drones this year and has the potential to double that figure.
This was stated by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at the Reuters NEXT Europe forum after meetings on the sidelines of the G7 summit in Évian, according to Deutsche Welle.
"Scaling up drone production is one of the key good news for Ukraine in terms of the defense industry and military technology. Russia has lost the combat initiative in almost all directions. I think the situation on the front is really changing. They attacked us in 12 directions. We saw it. And they lost the initiative in almost all of these directions; only in two or three does it still remain. At the same time, the Russian Federation still has significant resources, including soldiers. But they have slowed down there," he said.
Zelensky also drew attention to the mood inside Russia.
"More than 60% of Russians support stopping the war, while part of the entourage of Russian dictator Vladimir Putin, on the contrary, is pushing him towards a new large-scale mobilization despite the losses," the report says.
Zelensky noted the need to increase pressure on Russia through sanctions. He discussed this issue with European leaders in Évian and plans to raise it with the US President.
The president named the so-called Russian shadow fleet as a priority. Zelensky called on partners not only to block but also to confiscate sanctioned tankers, as well as to increase pressure on Russia's banking and military-industrial sectors.
"Long-term sanctions are already working – oil prices are falling, which reduces Russia's revenues," he said.
Businessman Roman Abramovich understood Ukraine's position and can convey these theses to Russian President Vladimir Putin. But whether this message will have a practical effect depends on the Russian dictator.
This was stated by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at the Reuters Next summit.
