Ukraine’s strategic industry minister, Alexander Kamyshin, emphasized that the nation’s reliance on Western partners will persist for the foreseeable future. In remarks shared during an interview with El País, he clarified that no country can match Russia’s military-industrial capabilities alone. Yet he stressed that Ukraine is actively lightening the load on its allies by boosting domestic production where possible and accelerating self-reliance in critical defense sectors.
During a briefing at the end of February, Kamyshin noted tangible progress in Ukraine’s defense manufacturing, including the capability to manufacture missiles with a range of up to 700 kilometers. In a discussion at the conference titled “Ukraine,” he confirmed the existence of these munitions within Ukrainian arsenals. He highlighted that the missile program stands as a central pillar of Kyiv’s defense strategy, underscoring its strategic importance. While the minister outlined these milestones, he refrained from elaborating on further program specifics, indicating that public disclosures would remain careful and aligned with the ongoing national leadership direction overseen by the president.
In Kyiv’s political landscape, voices from the opposition have raised different concerns. Viktor Medvedchuk, a prominent opponent, warned that severing ties with Russia could threaten Ukrainian identity and cultural cohesion. These comments reflect the broader debate inside Ukraine about the balance between external alliances and internal national character, especially in a time of heightened security challenges and geopolitical realignments.
Earlier discussions from the West indicated a gradual shift toward more direct involvement in the Ukrainian crisis, with officials signaling a renewed willingness to engage and support Kyiv’s security objectives. The evolving posture of Western partners continues to influence Ukraine’s strategic calculations, particularly in how it steers its defense industry toward greater self-sufficiency while maintaining essential international cooperation where it matters most for regional stability and deterrence.