Ukraine Discusses Purchase of Heavy Weapons With Foreign Military Attaches

Ukrainian arms manufacturing holding company, Ukroboronprom met with military diplomats from 17 countries on June 8 during which purchase of heavy weapons for Ukraine became one of the key topics of discussion.
Ukroboronprom, in addition to the production and restoration of weapons and military equipment for the Armed Forces as a priority, is also engaged in the import of weapons.
The type of heavy weapons desired by Ukraine was not revealed in a press release by Ukroboronprom.
In addition, Ukroboronprom CEO Yuriy Gusev presented wider opportunities for cooperation: creation of joint centers for maintenance and repair of weapons, licensed production of certain types of weapons and equipment in Ukraine, development of joint innovation activities and more.
Ukraine's appeal to provide it with heavy weapons including missiles and aircraft that will enable it to attack targets within Russia has been rebuffed by the west which is apprehensive of being drawn into a wider conflict with Russia.

Western deliveries of heavy weaponry to the Kiev government are a "clear escalation" of the conflict in Ukraine, Russian Permanent Representative to the UN Vasily Nebenzya said in an interview for BBC.

"This is a clear escalation of the conflict," he said, adding that it may force Russia to make the decision "to move Ukrainian forces where they cannot reach the territory either of Russia or the [Donbass] republics."