Oleksandr Kamyshin, Minister for Strategic Industries of Ukraine, took part in a panel discussion on the future of Ukraine. The event was held as part of a special broadcast of the National News Marathon dedicated to the Statehood Day of Ukraine.

Oleksandr Kamyshin spoke about the conceptual strategy "Defense industry is the new oil". According to him, the defense industry is becoming a new advanced segment of the state's economy, where private business should come. "Before the Great War, Ukraine was sold the idea of the "breadbasket of Europe". Today, the concept should change in the direction of the defense industry, and Ukraine should become the arsenal of the free world. This should be our main goal, considering the enemy we have on the borders," said the Minister.

In addition, according to Kamyshin, the priority task for the Ministry of Strategic Industries today is to create favorable conditions for expanding opportunities for existing and attracting new private manufacturers in the defense industry. "Defense industry in the world is mostly a private business. It "runs" faster than the state one. I am sure that in 5 years more than 50% of the sector will be owned by private producers," he added.

The minister also said that major global defense manufacturers have already started building their production facilities in Ukraine. However, we should aim to increase the efficiency of the Ukrainian defense industry. "I am sure that with the right state policy, we will have our Bayraktar and Rheinmetall very soon," Kamyshin emphasized.