Kyrylo Budanov, chief of staff to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, has spoken out against exporting Ukrainian technologies, arguing that the country should instead focus on selling finished products with high added value.
Speaking at a meeting with the heads of Ukraine's diplomatic missions abroad, Budanov said preserving domestic technological know-how is essential for strengthening the country's economy and long-term international influence.
“This is the only thing that can save our economy and which, on a much larger scale, can make countries, let's put it this way, dependent on us to some extent,” he said.
Budanov warned that exporting technologies rather than finished products would ultimately weaken Ukraine's industrial base.
“When we give away our technologies, it's over: you sold your business, you sold your production, and there's nothing left to discuss with you. So I would recommend not to forget this aspect,” he added.
