Ukraine Needs Top-Brass Approval for Arms Exports, Trade Rep Says

The decision to green light Ukraine’s arms exports rests with the military top brass, according to Kyiv’s trade representative on Wednesday. 

Taras Kachka, Ukraine’s trade representative and deputy economy minister, said on Wednesday that the Ministry of Economy acknowledges the local industry’s desire for exports, but he said the decision ultimately lies with the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine and the Headquarters of the Supreme Commander-in-Chief.

The issue has been contested within Ukraine’s budding arms industry as representatives said the supply is greater than what Ukraine can purchase, and therefore the lack of funding is stifling the development of the sector. 

However, at Wednesday’s Export Strategy presentation, Kachka said further risk assessments should be taken before granting the green light. 

“Everyone acknowledges very well that Ukraine’s [arms] industry requests to open exports… The request exists, but how to do it, when it is the most convenient [to lift the ban on arms exports], how to avoid jeopardizing frontline arms procurements is a complicated issue,” Kachka told Kyiv Post during the event in Kyiv.  

Kachka said that it is natural that Ukrainian arms manufacturers can produce more than the state can purchase for the defense needs against Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

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However, Kachka said the Ministry of Economy is not the body that will grant the green light to exports – Kachka said that businesses’ economic demand is only one “part of the whole picture.” 

He said the final decision should be made by the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine and the Headquarters of the Supreme Commander-in-Chief. 

“There is only a part of power that lies in Ukraine’s Ministry of Economy, it’s the decision of a higher level,” Kachka said.  

Previously, miltech producers in the “Tech Force in UA” association asked Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to lift what they called the “actual” ban on Ukraine’s arms exports. 

Kyiv Post source in the parliament previously said that there is no legitimate hurdle to open exports – the green light should be given by Ukraine’s president. 

Two Kyiv Post sources in the miltech sector told Kyiv Post that Ukraine’s Ministry of Defense remains the last institution to resist the arms export ban, arguing it has failed to provide arms manufacturers with valid reasons for its denials.