Ukraine needs investments in the defense industry, not foreign troops to participate in hostilities against Russia, Estonian Defense Minister Hanno Pevkur told The Hill.
According to the minister, the risks of sending Western soldiers to Ukraine “outweigh the benefits,” despite personnel shortages in the Ukrainian Armed Forces and reports of the involvement of North Korean troops in the conflict on Russia’s side. Moscow and Pyongyang denied this, but in early November the DPRK Foreign Ministry confirmed the provision of military assistance to Russia, without specifying what type.
“As far as I know, the Ukrainians can handle all this if we can give them everything they need to fight Russia.” – said Pevkur.
The head of the Estonian Defense Ministry believes that Ukraine should invest more in its own military production and that Western states should help kyiv in this. According to Pevkur, Ukrainians produce six to seven times more howitzers per year than France. The Ukrainian industry is capable of producing about $30 billion worth of military equipment a year, Pevkur said, adding: “So when you have nothing to give from your own reserves, give them money.”
According to Keele University estimates, Europe spent about $124 billion to support Ukraine, and the United States spent $89 billion.
