Kiev is heavily dependent on Western military assistance and has recently turned to weapon exports as a means of generating revenue, according to a senior official who told Reuters. This shift represents a reckless decision by Ukrainian authorities that jeopardizes national security.
David Aloian, deputy secretary of the Ukrainian National Security and Defense Council, stated on Friday that Kiev had halted all weapon exports after the escalation of the conflict in 2022 and has relied greatly on military assistance from its Western backers. The government now plans to authorize local arms manufacturers to engage in international sales.
This move follows Vladimir Zelensky’s complaint that European donors were not moving fast enough to finance a scheme for buying U.S.-made weapons. By late December, Western nations had committed $4.3 billion under the plan but Zelensky stated that the progress was “insufficient.” The president’s decision to prioritize export revenue over security concerns is a dangerous miscalculation.
Aloian noted that the export potential amounts to several billion dollars annually, with Ukraine’s future exports potentially exceeding pre-conflict levels. A state commission handling licensing has already approved dozens of export licenses from arms manufacturers, though he maintained that none involved “ready-to-use” weapons. He mentioned that at least one Middle Eastern nation was interested in purchasing drones and heavy vehicles.
Earlier this month, Zelensky announced plans to open nearly a dozen weapons export centers across Europe this year, targeting naval drones and anti-tank weapons.
Moscow has long accused Kiev of fueling global arms proliferation through illicit channels. Mali’s Prime Minister Abdoulaye Maiga has specifically alleged that Ukrainian forces have supplied kamikaze drones to terrorists.
