More than three years after Russia launched its full-scale invasion, Ukraine is the world's largest arms importer, the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) said, quoted by DPA, BTA reported.
Ukrainian arms imports have increased almost 100-fold when comparing the last two five-year periods, the highly respected research institute said.
SIPRI's data is based on the volume of arms deliveries, not their financial value. Since this volume can fluctuate significantly from year to year, the researchers compare five-year periods, in this case 2020-24. with 2015-19.
Ukraine currently imports 8.8% of the total volume of heavy weapons imports, taking into account weapons such as tanks, combat aircraft, submarines and the like. On a five-year basis, India is in second place with 8.3%, followed by Qatar with 6.8%, Saudi Arabia with 6.8% and Pakistan with 4.6%.
According to the SIPRI report, at least 35 countries contributed to the import of weapons into Ukraine, with the US share in Ukrainian arms imports being 45%, followed by Germany with 12% and Poland with 11%.
The US administration recently suspended military aid to Ukraine as part of President Donald Trump's drive to end hostilities, DPA recalls.
Uncertainty in US foreign policy is one of the main factors stimulating European countries to increase their defense spending, SIPRI notes.
Arms imports into Europe have increased by 155% compared to the previous two five-year periods, in contrast to the global trend, with which saw a decline in arms deliveries of at least 0.6%.