Ambassador of Ukraine urged German business to reorient towards defense needs 08.06.2026 23:39 Ukrinform The lack of a sense of urgency regarding security challenges among the German population and businesses remains a significant issue – despite the fact that its government has recognized the necessity of supporting Ukraine. This was stated by the Ambassador of Ukraine to Germany, Oleksii Makeiev, during his speech at the New Age Defence conference in Berlin, as reported by a Ukrinform correspondent. “Last week, the Federal President invited me, along with all ambassadors accredited in Berlin, to visit the state of Saarland. We toured this beautiful region and also visited the Villeroy & Boch company, which manufactures high-quality plumbing and bathroom fixtures. They proudly told us about their operations and said: ‘Well, actually, we operate 24/7.’ And now I simply ask: ‘How is it that toilets are produced around the clock (24/7), but weapons – no more than 40 hours a week?'” the ambassador remarked. He emphasized that Ukraine has been living under constant threat in recent years and operates with maximum resource mobilization. “So, this is the question. Because we in Ukraine work around the clock, seven days a week, as we feel this urgency. This is something that has not yet reached Germany, and it is a major problem for the emerging defense markets that we are seeing today,” Makeiev pointed out. At the same time, he noted that the German federal government recognizes the scale of threats and the need to support Ukraine. “The German government has grasped this and ensures that significant assistance is provided to Ukraine. Germany is number one in terms of military and financial support for Ukraine. However, what is lacking is precisely this sense of urgency among the broader population and the industry itself,” the diplomat stated. Makeiev also highlighted the growing cooperation between the Ukrainian and German defense sectors, observing that the “culture of joint production has practically been revived.” According to the ambassador, Ukrainian and German sides have created conditions for the development of joint defense projects: “As the Ukrainian government, we are providing the legal framework for such cooperation. The German government finances many of these joint ventures so that the products truly meet the needs of the Ukrainian end consumer. We have also established an absolutely unique feedback channel with the manufacturers so that they know what works well and what needs improvement.” The ambassador urged German companies to actively engage in defense industry cooperation with Ukraine. “In fact, for many companies here in Germany, this is an open call: start collaborating with Ukrainian companies, invest money, and reorient your production towards defense technologies,” he said. Makeiev separately emphasized the importance of changing public attitudes in Germany towards the defense industry and weaponry: “The time has come to overcome this barrier that weapons are something bad.” According to the diplomat, German society should recognize the need to be prepared to defend its own security. He also called on European partners to utilize Ukraine’s experience in modern warfare. “For Ukraine and NATO, the main adversary is Russia. Therefore, learn from Ukraine how to fight and defeat Russia,” the ambassador noted. Moreover, Makeiev added: “And it is a good feeling – to know that Russia is not the second strongest army in the world, but the second strongest army in Ukraine.” As Ukrinform reported, the New Age Defence Berlin security forum, dedicated to the development of defense technologies, unmanned systems, and artificial intelligence based on Ukraine’s experience, took place in Berlin on June 8. Ukraine’s photos can be purchased here Business Germany Defense Ambassador Ukraine