Ukraine discusses with NATO access to defense procurement system

"We discussed in detail how Ukraine will gain access to the defense procurement system that exists in NATO because we want to create new opportunities for Ukrainian exporters to sell our products to NATO member countries," Vice Prime Minister of Ukraine for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration Dmytro Kuleba told journalists on Wednesday following his visit to Brussels, an Ukrinform correspondent reported.

He noted that NATO’s defense procurement system was similar to the Ukrainian ProZorro system, which allows not only buying but also selling relevant products.

"Everything is clear with purchases. As for sales on this platform, some steps still need to be taken, in particular, to teach Ukrainian companies and Ukrainian manufacturers how to get into this system, how to work in it, how to sell their goods and make money. We discussed with the Alliance how to organize the corresponding trainings for us," the Ukrainian official said.

For Ukraine to become fully involved in the NATO defense procurement system, he noted, a presentation for the Allies should be held in Brussels so that they can better understand Ukraine's capabilities.

Kuleba stressed that the categories of Ukrainian manufacturers that will be involved in such cooperation should not be limited to arms manufacturers.

"We are talking about any defense-related equipment or things. They [NATO] will receive an additional effective tool to increase their sales. For our part, we will receive a tool to motivate Ukrainian manufacturers to produce products that meet NATO standards. It is a mutually beneficial story for everyone. NATO and Ukrainian side discussed some specific things we can do to get into this system," the official said.

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