Ukraine to begin exporting weapons: Zelenskyy says all details have already been agreed upon
29 April 02:50
Ukraine has agreed at the level of state institutions on a mechanism to launch the export of Ukrainian weapons. This does not involve reducing supplies to the front lines, but rather the sale of surplus production—that is, production exceeding the needs of the state defense order. The National Security and Defense Council will coordinate the process. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced this following a meeting on key issues regarding the export of Ukrainian weapons, according to "Komersant Ukrainian"
According to him, the Ukrainian military will retain priority access to the necessary volume of weapons, and only surplus production may be sold to foreign markets.
Zelenskyy: Ukrainian arms exports will become a reality
The president stated that Ukraine has already agreed on all the details of future arms exports at the level of state institutions.
“The export of Ukrainian weapons will become a reality. We have agreed on all the details at the level of our state institutions,” Zelenskyy noted.
According to the head of state, partners’ interest in Ukrainian defense solutions is growing, as Ukrainian weapons and security expertise have been tested in the conditions of modern warfare.
“Currently, our security expertise and weapons, which have been tested in modern warfare, are of interest to all partners capable of ensuring a real level of protection for their national sovereignty and the lives of their people,” the president said.
What exactly does Ukraine plan to export?
According to Zelenskyy, Ukraine has proposed a special cooperation format called “Drone Deals” to its partners. This refers to intergovernmental agreements on the production and supply of Ukrainian defense solutions.
This format may include drones, missiles, shells, other types of defense equipment, software, integration with partners’ defense systems, as well as the technological exchange Ukraine needs.
“Our special format for working with partners who are helping Ukraine—Drone Deals—is already in operation with countries from three regions of the world: the Middle East and the Gulf, Europe, and the Caucasus,” Zelenskyy stated.
According to the president, the proposal is also “on the table” with American partners.
The army will have priority
A key condition for launching exports is prioritizing the supply of weapons to the Ukrainian military. Zelenskyy emphasized that the Armed Forces will be the first to receive the necessary volume of weapons.
“The Ukrainian military will always have the right to the first and sufficient supply: the military will take what is needed, and anything beyond that will be exported,” the president stated.
According to him, for some types of weapons, Ukraine’s production capacity surplus reaches 50%. This, as Zelenskyy noted, is the result of government investments in the defense industry and cooperation with partners.
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How the export mechanism will work
The president explained that the process will be phased. First, an agreement will be concluded at the intergovernmental level based on the principle of reciprocity. It will define the framework for security cooperation.
After that, the process will move to the level of state institutions and manufacturers. Ukraine plans to simplify bureaucratic procedures while maintaining an adequate level of export control.
“We are simplifying bureaucratic procedures, maintaining a sufficient level of export control, and launching practical measures for companies to operate,” Zelenskyy noted.
The president also approved the areas of intergovernmental cooperation and the development of automated permits for businesses regarding arms exports.
Ukrainian weapons will not be sold to all countries
Zelenskyy specifically emphasized that Ukrainian weapons cannot be sold to countries that cooperate with Russia.
According to him, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Security Service of Ukraine, and intelligence agencies must determine a list of countries to which the export of Ukrainian weapons will be prohibited due to their cooperation with Russia.
This should serve as a control measure to ensure that Ukrainian defense technologies do not fall into the wrong hands and do not pose risks to Ukraine itself.
Who will coordinate the process
The National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine will coordinate export processes. It is the NSDC’s responsibility to ensure that the needs of the Armed Forces are met first, and that only surplus production is exported.
This approach should combine two objectives: supporting the Ukrainian army and developing the defense industry by entering foreign markets.
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