Ukraine and the United States have agreed to begin joint production of weaponsa step that will allow Kiev to begin producing air defense systems, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said today as he wrapped up his visit to the United States.

In his daily address to Ukrainians, Zelensky stated that this long-term agreement will create jobs and a new industrial base in Ukraine, whose economy has been badly damaged by the Russian invasion and war.

“It was a very important visit to Washington, very important results”Zelensky states in the video he posted this morning on the presidential website.

“And a long-term agreement – we will work together so that Ukraine produces the necessary weapons together with the United States. Defense co-production with the United States is something of historic proportions.”

Kiev has increased efforts to promote domestic arms production as much as possible, as 19 months of war have created huge demand for weapons and ammunition to fend off Russian attacks along a front 1,000 kilometers long. Russian airstrikes across Ukraine have caused extensive damage and claimed many lives.

Zelensky said the Ministry of Strategic Industries, which oversees arms production in Ukraine, has signed cooperation agreements with three associations, in which more than 2,000 US defense companies participate.

“We are preparing to create a new defense ecosystem with the United States to produce weapons to further strengthen freedom and protect life together,” Zelensky said without giving further details.

Ukraine is highly dependent on Western military support. To reduce its dependence, Zelensky and his team are pushing for reforms in the domestic defense industry aimed at modernizing it and increasing production.

Zelensky has previously said that Kiev will soon host an international forum of arms manufacturers, with companies from more than 20 countries invited.

The Ukrainian government is also implementing reforms at the main arms company, Ukroboronprom, to improve transparency and boost production capacityas well as cooperation with western producers.

Ukraine has already agreed on joint programs with central European producers to repair Ukrainian tanks and other vehicles, while it is also working to develop production of unmanned aircraft and missiles.