British weapons and military vehicles could be produced in Ukraine under plans that would deepen the country's ties with NATO.
Senior UK defense industry officials are discussing the plans with their counterparts in Kyiv, and any deal is likely to be seen as a significant strengthening of Britain's relationship with Ukraine.
As the British publication writes The Telegraph, British representatives have already visited Ukraine.
Preliminary talks are about the creation of joint enterprises that will produce weapons and vehicles under license.
It is noteworthy that, according to the authors of the material, similar negotiations with Ukraine are being conducted by a number of countries. British companies are trying to outpace competitors from Germany and France.
It said any joint venture would likely require the personal approval of British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak. Especially given that Russia has repeatedly threatened Western countries with retaliation for supplying weapons to Ukraine, and any support for arms production can further increase tensions.
Ukraine has applied to join NATO, but the alliance is unlikely to accept it while the country is at war. As a NATO member, other NATO members would be legally bound to actively defend it against Russia, an obligation that goes far beyond supplying weapons.
James Black, a military procurement expert at the Rand Corporation, a US security think tank, said the deal under which a Western power would produce heavy weapons in Ukraine would be a first because the country has little history of industrial cooperation.
