Zelenskyy: Ukraine to Become a Major Arms Exporter

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, speaking at the Third International Defense Industries Forum in Kyiv, delivered a keynote speech outlining the country's strategic vision. According to this vision, Ukraine not only intends to achieve self-sufficiency in armaments but also aims to become a major arms exporter on the global market. The central thesis of the speech is the ambitious goal of increasing the production potential of unmanned aerial vehicles and missiles to $35 billion by 2026.

Zelenskyy emphasized that Ukraine seeks to transform from a country receiving aid into a state with a powerful military-industrial complex, capable not only of meeting the needs of its own army but also of competing in the global arms market. On the path to achieving this ambitious goal, the president also set a more immediate and concrete task. By the end of 2025, the share of Ukrainian-made weapons used at the front must be increased from 40% to 50%. This means reducing dependence on external supplies, ensuring a more rapid response to the needs of the front line, and developing technologies that best meet the challenges of modern warfare.

However, Zelenskyy's vision is not limited to domestic needs. He officially announced the launch of programs for the export of Ukrainian armaments. The president instructed the government, his office, and the Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council to develop and present the main elements of an export program titled "Weapons are our export product."

Practical steps have already been taken in this direction. According to Zelenskyy, agreements have been reached to open export-import platforms in Europe, the USA, and the Middle East. This indicates that Kyiv intends to offer the world battle-tested, effective, and competitive weaponry, thereby not only strengthening its own economy but also increasing its geopolitical weight.