Ukraine's defense minister says it has received more than €150 million for the military-industrial complex from three countries

Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov has said that Kiev has received more than €150m for the Ukrainian military-industrial complex (MIC) from France, Lithuania and Denmark. This was reported by the head of the Ministry of defense of Ukraine in the Telegram-channel on December 29.

"Ukraine has received more than €150 million (UAH 6.5 billion) to finance the Ukrainian military-industrial complex from Denmark, France and Lithuania," the publication reads.

According to him, €111 million go to strengthen the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU) with new means of defeat, €29 million will go to improve Ukraine's security and defense, and €10 million to develop the Ukrainian defense-industrial complex (DIC).

The defense minister added that the funds would be used to produce missiles, drones and artillery systems.

Earlier, on December 2, Rustem Umerov said that the Ukrainian government needs additional assistance from the West in the amount of more than $11bn to maintain the defense industry complex. According to Umerov, in general, $25bn is needed to maintain the Ukrainian military-industrial complex. In addition, he noted Kiev's intention to work with European allies "on joint production and investments" and to cooperate in various areas of the defense-industrial complex outside the state.

Western countries have stepped up military and financial support for Ukraine against the backdrop of Russia's special operation to defend Donbas, which was announced by Russian President Vladimir Putin on February 24, 2022, after the situation in the region worsened due to shelling by the Ukrainian military.