Zelenskyy orders audit of defense agreements with foreign countries

MOSCOW

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy ordered on Saturday an audit of defense agreements with foreign partners.

Zelenskyy told a government meeting he expects a report from Defense Minister Denis Shmyhal and Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council Rustem Umerov regarding the audit of agreements with partners and the timelines for their execution.

The audit will cover all key agreements including bilateral accords and joint projects for constructing arms factories in partner countries.

“We need precise timing for implementation. Together with the NSDC secretary and the foreign minister, we will intensify our work with partners in our existing formats,” Zelenskyy said.

He also highlighted increased cooperation with partners within established frameworks, notably the Ukraine Defense Contact Group (Ramstein format).

A meeting at the ministerial level is scheduled for Saturday to discuss further steps, he said.

Zelenskyy's move comes as anti-corruption agencies uncovered a $100 million kickback scheme in the energy sector.