There is no sign that Putin wants to stop this war - the President's appeal to the participants of the Defense Industrial Forum

This network covers Russia, North Korea, the current regime in Iran, Chinese companies and many schemes around the world that help to produce weapons and operate operations against our country, our people and our Europe. Only together can we resist it. And the best way to do this is to strike a strong blow to the heart of this aggression and break all the connections that combine Russia with its accomplices.

That is why our priorities are clear - joint defense production and real restrictions on cooperation with Russia through sanctions and other restrictive measures. Thank you to everyone who helps us in this. And now - key theses are for defense production today. The first is investments and technologies. Our defense potential has already exceeded $ 35 billion. These are almost a thousand products: from artillery and traditional armored vehicles to modern drones (by the way, all types) and rockets.

But about 40% of this potential does not have proper funding. This is true. And that's a problem. For example, we are able to produce more than 8 million drones of different types each year, but existing funding allows much less. At the same time, Russia uses not only its oil income but also resources of regimes such as North Korea and Iran, as well as corruption in other countries to defense. That is why our united solidarity is the best response to Russia's military network.

We are open to various formats of cooperation in the defense sector, including the transfer of our experience and developments to those who help the most. We must be leaders in the drone race - both shock and interceptors - and continue to move forward in the production of traditional weapons, taking into account all the lessons of this long war. Please increase investments in Ukrainian and jointly production of weapons.

All weapons we produce becomes part of a new, stronger European defense and security system. In this context, we welcome the European Initiative for Security Action for Europe, which provides for up to 150 billion euros for the development of the defense industry. We urge to actively use this program as an additional source of support for our common security. It is important to remember that Ukraine is an equal partner of this program, and therefore security is our common cause.

The second is the long -term stability of our countries. There is no sign that Putin wants to stop this war. Russia rejects all peace proposals, including those coming from the United States of America. Putin thinks only of the war. This is a fact. He may be associated with his own political survival with the ability to continue to kill: while he kills, he lives. Our intelligence confirms this.

Russia even plans new military operations in the territory of NATO, that is, in the territory of your states. This war is now in Ukraine, and you need to prepare well - to be prepared. Undoubtedly, we have to stop Putin now and in Ukraine, but we also need to understand that his goals go beyond Ukraine. European countries should increase defensive expenditures. We believe that 5% of GDP is the right level.

The united Europe is able to create a defensive ability that will destroy Russian illusion that war with Europe can bring it something. In order to destroy this illusion faster, we must deprive Russia of the opportunity to continue the war against Ukraine with impunity. It is better to restrain Russia where it is already stuck. I thank every country, thank every leader who has already decided to direct part of their national defense expenditures in support of Ukraine.

If each European country allocates at least 0. 25% of its GDP for it - and we are grateful to those countries that give more, such as the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, as well as for such a significant contribution as from Germany, which is quite reasonable - the chances of peace in Europe will grow. Third - please make sure that your countries and your companies do not in any way help Russia or its accomplices. This is really critical.

Today, there is no significant Russian weapon that is made without components, equipment or materials from other countries, unfortunately, in particular from Europe and NATO countries. Yes, yes. This should stop. Such components can be found in every Russian rocket, most of their drones and in combat vehicles. And this is not only China - also Taiwan. Some of these parts come from European countries and from the United States.