Former Google CEO Calls on the West to Invest in Ukraine's Defense
Eric Schmidt, former CEO and chairman of the board of directors at Google, called on the West to view the Ukrainian defense industry as part of its own and to invest more actively in weapons production. According to him, the coming winter could be decisive in Russia’s war against Ukraine.
Schmidt, who founded a company that manufactures one of the most effective drones for the Ukrainian Armed Forces, stated that Ukraine’s actions have effectively bought the West several years.
“At the cost of its soldiers’ blood and through the ingenuity of its engineers, Ukraine has bought the West four years. We cannot allow it to endure another winter under Russian shelling on its own,” he emphasized.
After a recent trip to Kyiv, Schmidt said he returned more concerned than he had been at any point since the early days of the full-scale invasion.
In his column for The Washington Post, he noted that Russia is moving toward a strategy of total war, mobilizing industrial enterprises and human resources.
According to Schmidt, despite its “cumbersome military bureaucracy,” Moscow is increasingly combining its industrial capacity with technological innovations.
This could play a critical role in the ongoing conflict, the former Google executive believes.
Schmidt emphasized that simply supplying Ukraine with ready-made weapons is no longer enough to counter the Russian war machine.
“The West must view Ukraine’s defense industry as an extension of its own, jointly produce weapons, and eliminate bottlenecks in supplies,” he said.
In his view, Ukraine’s allies need to integrate more closely with Ukrainian manufacturers, jointly develop and produce weapons, and respond more quickly to technological changes on the battlefield.
Schmidt also emphasized the importance of resolving supply chain issues and increasing production capacity.
He believes that this coming winter will be one of the most critical tests for Ukraine and its allies.
This is reported by The Washington Post.
Russia is preparing combined strikes against Ukraine’s energy sector this fall and winter. According to the head of the Main Intelligence Directorate, the enemy may use ballistic and cruise missiles, “Shahed” drones, and new loitering munitions to attack energy and heating facilities.
Ukraine and Russia may agree to a limited ceasefire before winter or at the start of the heating season. One possible option is a mutual cessation of strikes on energy infrastructure.
