KYIV (Reuters) -President Volodymyr Zelenskiy outlined Ukraine’s plans to boost drone exports and expand tech partnerships as he met the top management of a host of leading U.S. businesses, his office said on Thursday.
Exports of Ukraine’s weapons have been restricted since Russia invaded its neighbour in February 2022, with everything rolling off the production line diverted to the national defence effort.
“Our country has a strong drone manufacturing industry and more than 300 technology companies. I think this is a new direction for our business and economy in the future,” Zelenskiy said in a statement.
“I think this year we will open up exports of our new technologies only to those countries that we can count on,” he added.
Zelenskiy met with representatives of companies including Amazon, Bank of America, Chemours, Citi, CRH, Fairfax, GE Vernova, Hogan Lovells, Jacobs, JPMorgan Chase, Lazard, Logistics Plus, Marsh McLennan, TechMet and Westinghouse, his office said.
Some of the companies already operate or invest in Ukraine. Zelenskiy said that Kyiv was ready to open up new sectors for partnerships and investments.
UKRAINE’S DRONE OUTPUT SOARS
Ukraine’s domestic weapons production and its drone output in particular have increased massively during the war, with hundreds of firms manufacturing millions of drones that have been tested on the battlefield.
Zelenskiy said Ukraine planned to establish export platforms in the United States, Europe, the Middle East and Africa.
As the government seeks to prop up its war-devastated economy, Kyiv is keen to strengthen its ties with the U.S. and has been wooing American businesses with potential investment opportunities.
Earlier this month, Ukraine and the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation launched a joint fund with $150 million investment that is part of Kyiv’s minerals deal with Washington, first signed in April.
Ukrainian officials said Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko is planning to visit the United States at the end of the month for more detailed talks with U.S. businesses.
(Reporting by Yuliia Dysa, Olena Harmash; Editing by Hugh Lawson)
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