Ukraine May Lift Arms Export Ban to NATO Nations
18 October, 2024 Ukrainian strike drones in the shop. Ukraine. Photo credits: Mykhailo Fedorov
The President of Ukraine instructed the relevant ministries to develop proposals for arms exports. Volodymyr Zelenskyy mentioned this in an interview with Ukrainian journalists, broadcast as part of a joint information telethon. Zelensky said he asked the Defense Minister to explore potential export models.
In particular, the sale of Ukrainian weapons to countries that are part of the Ramstein format for assisting Ukraine is being considered. "I rule out exports [...] to anyone who could later supply them to Russia. That's the first point.
Secondly, weapons exports should only occur within the Ramstein circle. With all due respect to Middle Eastern countries and others, I don't believe we have the right to export to those who did not support us," the President stated.
Volodymyr Zelensky and Rustem Umyerov. Photo credits: Minister of Defense of Ukraine
He noted that the Ukrainian government is working to raise additional funds for the purchase of Ukrainian-made weapons.
Therefore, some manufacturers who complain about the lack of orders "need to wait" now. A Militarnyi correspondent reported from a briefing by Ukraine's Defense Minister, Rustem Umierov, that the Defense Ministry also does not rule out lifting the ban on the export of domestically produced weapons. Rustem Umierov reminded that Ukraine offers its partners several options for investing in the production of Ukrainian-made weapons.
"We always hear at our meetings that some countries say they want to buy Ukrainian production of missiles, drones, and other products for themselves. We do not exclude these possibilities, but I want it to be a collective decision, so in this regard, we will prepare and submit a plan to the leadership for decision-making," the minister said. He reminded that Ukraine offers its partners to invest in the production of Ukrainian weapons.
"This year we suggested to our colleagues that they consider two or three options. The first is a joint venture where the state and the private sector invest.
The second is where the state provides 5 ten-year contracts. The third step is for enterprises or the partner state to provide new financial instruments, such as a loan, as export financing. And we are now discussing clear plans for each country, where colleagues from the General Staff will work together with other colleagues to agree on which projects we will invest in with each country," Umierov said.
In September, Ukrainian defense companies urged partner countries to purchase defense products that have already been manufactured but have not been contracted by the Ukrainian government.
The National Association of Defense Industry Enterprises of Ukraine (NAUDI) noted that the export of military products can bring the state up to £2 billion in additional tax revenues in a year and a half.