Ukraine interested in purchase of demining equipment from Slovakia - Zelensky

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has said that Ukraine is ready to buy Slovak demining equipment and create joint production of such equipment, as well as shells and guns.

He said this at a joint press conference with Slovak President Zuzana Caputova in Bratislava on Friday, July 7, according to an Ukrinform correspondent.

"I am grateful for the willingness to help with humanitarian demining too. We are ready to buy appropriate Slovak equipment, we are interested in it, and [we are ready] to create a new production of such demining equipment. Together, Ukraine and Slovakia can become donors for the global protection of people from the global mine threat," Zelensky said.

He added that the day before, Ukraine signed a contract with Slovakia for the production of 16 Zuzana-2 self-propelled howitzers.

"Of course, we are also working for other joint productions - the production of projectiles, the production of guns, that is, there are steps forward, there's more security and there are more jobs," Zelensky said.

He also announced Ukraine's readiness to develop transport links with Slovakia, make existing routes more active, and create additional opportunities for people and countries. In particular, according to him, this applies to the Kosice route.

"We also discussed the cross-border transit of goods - our countries are interested in having all issues between us resolved in the interests of our nations," Zelensky added.

He also thanked Slovakia for its solidarity with Ukraine, the already provided defense and other assistance, and for taking in Ukrainian refugees.

Zelensky arrived in Slovakia on Friday. He visited the Czech Republic and Bulgaria on July 6-7.

Photo credit: Office of the President of Ukraine