From Kyiv to Kuwait: Ukraine’s Defense Lessons Spread Across the World

Lessons learned in the skies above Ukrainian cities are now being studied in capitals from Washington to Kuwait City. President Zelenskyy announced this week that Ukraine will share its drone defense expertise with the United States and five Middle Eastern nations, marking a dramatic expansion of Ukraine’s role as a global security provider.
The outreach was initiated by the requesting nations, not Ukraine. Zelenskyy confirmed that multiple countries — including the US and several Gulf states — approached Kyiv for assistance with countering Iranian Shahed drones. He confirmed direct conversations with leaders from the UAE, Qatar, Bahrain, Jordan, and Kuwait and confirmed that a US request was received and acted upon, with equipment and specialists to be dispatched.
Ukraine’s qualifications for this role are unmatched. No country in the world has more experience countering Shahed drone attacks than Ukraine, which has endured tens of thousands of such strikes over the past four years. This sustained assault drove the development of innovative, cost-effective countermeasures, including interceptor drones that cost as little as $1,000 per unit.
The EU’s top diplomat has also recognized Ukraine’s expertise, raising the topic at talks between European and Gulf foreign ministers as a potential foundation for broader drone defense cooperation. This international endorsement of Ukraine’s capabilities adds credibility to Zelenskyy’s offer and signals that the defense community widely regards Ukraine’s approach as a model worth emulating.
Zelenskyy linked the defense cooperation offer to his country’s larger diplomatic strategy, noting that Ukraine assists nations that support its own security and peace goals. He acknowledged that the Iran situation has temporarily disrupted Russia-Ukraine peace negotiations, but expressed confidence that diplomatic momentum would be restored when regional conditions allow.