Volodymyr Zelenskyy has announced that the first group of Ukrainian military experts will travel to the Middle East to share Ukraine’s battlefield experience in countering and deploying drones, highlighting Kyiv’s growing role as a source of modern military expertise.

Speaking after a meeting in Kyiv with Rob Jetten, Zelenskyy said the specialists would help partners in the region better understand drone warfare, an area where Ukraine has developed extensive operational knowledge during the ongoing conflict with Russia.

Zelenskyy also indicated that Ukraine is open to selling certain military equipment to partners in the Middle East, particularly systems that are not currently required by Ukrainian forces. The move could open new defense cooperation channels and provide Ukraine with additional economic and strategic partnerships.

The announcement comes as Ukraine continues to strengthen its defense ties with European allies. During the meeting, Jetten revealed plans to expand joint drone production between Netherlands and Ukraine. The partnership aims to increase the supply of drones for Ukrainian forces while also reinforcing Europe’s broader defense capabilities.

Officials say the collaboration reflects a growing emphasis on drone technology in modern warfare. Ukraine’s experience in deploying and countering drones has drawn international interest, particularly from countries seeking to modernize their defense strategies in response to evolving security threats.

Analysts note that Ukraine’s willingness to share its expertise and potentially sell equipment to Middle Eastern partners underscores how lessons from the war have transformed Kyiv into a key contributor to global defense innovation and military training.