Ukraine is preparing for self-defence

Ukraine is preparing to defend itself in case of failure of security guarantees

Ukraine is increasingly preparing for a scenario in which international security guarantees may not be sufficient, and bets on independent deterrence of russia. This is reported by the publication Politico.

The key idea of the approach is to turn the state into a so-called «steel porcupine», The potential aggressor will not risk attacking it again.

What the new strategy envisages

According to Politico, Kyiv is considering a set of long-term defence measures:

• Preserving a large army numbering up to 800 thousand military personnel even after the possible end of the war.

• Massive investments in drones, missiles, electronic warfare and long-range systems. In 2025, Ukraine contracted 4.5 million FPV drones in excess of 110 billion UAH, which is three times more than a year earlier.

• Development of own cruise and ballistic missiles, The new missiles are capable of hitting targets deep in Russia's territory.

• Development of the defence industry, The system should operate stably even during the war.

• Purchase of modern equipment - tanks, artillery, aircraft, including the possible acquisition of up to 150 Gripen fighters.

At the same time, the main problem is called lack of fundingThe Ukrainian defence industry is capable of producing products worth approximately 35 billion USD, but is secured by contracts only for 12 billion.

Why Kyiv is changing its approach

The article points out several reasons for the reorientation towards self-defence:

• Doubts about joining NATO, in particular after the statements of Donald Trump to exclude such a scenario.

• The experience of the 1994 Budapest Memorandum, which demonstrated the vulnerability of political guarantees.

• Uncertainty about the US's readiness to respond harshly on the possible violation of future agreements by Russia.

Kyiv emphasises that even with international missions or new agreements The Ukrainian army should remain the main element of security.

«With such a neighbour, Ukraine should be ready to defend itself,» the publication concludes.

Context.

Discussions on a long-term security model have intensified amid possible negotiations to end the war and find a real mechanisms to deter Russian aggression. Ukraine's strategy increasingly combines international support з its own military capabilities.