US lifts its 1997 ban on importing Ukrainian weapons — Russia remains only country on list
The US Department of Justice has lifted a ban on the import of Ukrainian weapons that had been in place since 1997. This opens the possibility for the US to purchase certain types of Ukrainian-made armaments, according to Forbes.
The only country remaining on the list of states subject to restrictions on arms imports will be the Russian Federation.
The decision was reported on 7 May by Ukraine’s Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to the US, Olha Stefanishyna.
Ukrainian weapons gain access to US market for first time
According to Stefanishyna, the new rules legally unblock the possibility of permanent imports into the US of certain categories of Ukrainian weapons, ammunition, and their components.
US introduces new review procedure for Ukrainian armaments
Under the new framework, applications for the import of Ukrainian firearms will be reviewed individually by the US Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), without automatic rejections.
Ukrainian drones and weapons entering global demand markets
The public comment period for the proposed rules will run until 6 July 2026. After that, the Department of Justice will consider the feedback in its final decision.
International interest in Ukrainian defense technologies, particularly interceptor drones, is growing. Manufacturers are already receiving inquiries from countries in the Gulf region, although they previously lacked a legal mechanism for exporting.
Earlier, Ukraine signed 10-year drone-related agreements with Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Qatar. In total, 11 countries, particularly from the Middle East, the Gulf region, and the Caucasus, expressed interest in the initiative.
