Estonia is considering purchasing defence products from Ukraine, despite the current ban on exports due to martial law. This was reported by ERR.
Estonian Defence Minister Hanno Pevkur expressed interest in such cooperation, noting that it could stimulate an increase in the production of military equipment in Ukraine. However, due to martial law, arms exports are currently impossible, said Mykhailo Samus, head of the Centre for New Geopolitical Studies. He explained that all products are now needed for the frontline, and exporting ammunition or weapons to other countries is unrealistic.
However, Samus stressed that there is a way to circumvent the ban through the creation of joint ventures in Estonia. According to him, Ukrainian specialists could participate in the production of defence equipment in Estonia, which would avoid problems with exports, as the products would be manufactured directly for the Estonian army.
The Estonian Minister of Defence supported this idea, noting that if the two countries agreed, the export ban would not be an obstacle. He also stressed that such cooperation would be beneficial for both sides, as Ukraine would be able to receive more funding and, accordingly, invest this money in strengthening its army.
Pevkur added that Estonia is interested in purchasing specific types of weapons, such as long-range missiles, which can provide an effective impact on the enemy at a long distance. He stressed that the details of these negotiations could not be disclosed, but noted that these systems are of key interest to his country.
The Estonian defence minister is expected to meet with his Ukrainian counterpart in Brussels in the near future, after which he plans to visit Ukraine to further discuss potential cooperation.
