Defense Minister Rustem Umerov called on the United States to invest in Ukraine's defense production, both through financing and the transfer of modern technologies.

"We call on our American partners to invest in our defense production, both through financing and the transfer of modern technologies," he said during his speech at the Diplomatic Academy under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, where U.S. Pentagon Chief Lloyd Austin also arrived.

The minister recalled that Ukraine has already invested $4 billion in the development of Ukrainian industry.

"The potential of Ukraine's defense production may approach $20 billion, but we need investments from our international partners," he emphasized.

Umerov noted the importance of the United States, in particular Austin, in "uniting the efforts of the free world and coordinating cooperation among more than 50 democratic countries to counter the threat posed by tyranny [the Ramstein format]."

"We must have a clear plan on how we will continue the work of this important forum, which has played an important role in supporting Ukraine’s fight against aggression. We continue to work in the capability format coalition and call on our partner countries to join and increase their support," the minister noted.

He also noted that countries continue to join specific coalitions, and Ukraine sees great potential in such partnerships.