Ukraine is increasingly framing its drone and counter-drone capabilities as a strategic asset in its foreign policy, particularly in expanding ties with Middle Eastern partners, Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha said in a recent interview.
Speaking to Ukrinform, Sybiha said Kyiv is offering Gulf nations not only political support but also practical security solutions drawn from its battlefield experience:
“We have offered our partners in the Gulf not merely expressions of solidarity, but specific security solutions,” he said, adding that the approach is already delivering results.
The comments reflect Ukraine’s effort to translate its wartime innovations into broader geopolitical influence. According to Sybiha, the country’s experience with drones and countermeasures has given it capabilities that extend beyond the European theater and into wider regional security discussions.
“We possess unique military capabilities, and they constitute a geopolitical asset,” he said. “Our drones and counter-drone systems are, in effect, Ukraine’s ‘oil’ – a strategic resource.”
Ukraine has faced sustained drone attacks since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion, driving rapid development of both offensive and defensive unmanned systems. Those capabilities are now being positioned as exportable technologies and a basis for long-term partnerships.
Sybiha pointed to recent diplomatic engagement in the Middle East, including visits by Volodymyr Zelenskyy and agreements with countries such as Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Qatar. He said the response from regional partners has been “extremely positive.”
The foreign minister also linked Ukraine’s growing role to wider global security concerns, including discussions at the G7 on risks to shipping through the Strait of Hormuz. He argued that security challenges in Europe and the Middle East are increasingly interconnected.
“Ukraine is increasingly seen as a contributor to both global and regional security,” Sybiha said, adding that Kyiv aims to leverage its technological edge to strengthen its armed forces, support its economy and advance long-term stability.
His remarks come as Ukraine continues to expand its defense-industrial base, with officials highlighting long-term contracts for drone technologies with multiple Middle Eastern countries.
Representatives from Ukraine are set to address attendees in London at the Counter UAS Technology Europe conference on April 20-22, where they will share operational lessons from the war in Ukraine.
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Post Image Credit: Andrii Sybiha via Facebook
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