On 23 February, an open lecture titled “From Ukraine to the Middle East: On Defence, Deterrence & Diplomacy” took place in Kyiv. The event was organised by the Diplomatic Academy of Ukraine in cooperation with the Ukrainian Catholic University.

The lecture brought together diplomats, scholars, and experts for a discussion on the emerging security architecture — from Ukraine to the Middle East.

The moderator of the event, Director of the Academy Ihor Ostash, emphasised the symbolism of holding the lecture during Ramadan:

“These days, we feel particularly strongly the value of peace, human dignity, and mutual support. For Ukraine, which is resisting full-scale aggression, these values have not only a spiritual but also a security dimension.”

He also highlighted the importance of partnership with the Ukrainian Catholic University and the role of the Middle East as a key region where decisions shaping international support for Ukraine are made.

Professor of Security Studies at the Doha Institute for Graduate Studies (Qatar) and the University of Exeter (UK), Omar Ashour, noted that Ukraine faces numerous challenges in the Middle East and North Africa due to the war and Russian influence. He stressed that Ukraine’s strategy combines alliance-building, deterrence of the aggressor, political pressure, and the application of hybrid warfare experience to counter Russia and strengthen its own standing. At the same time, Ukraine is effectively developing trade and diplomacy despite regional instability and limited resources.

Director of the Institute of Religion and Society at the Ukrainian Catholic University, Roman Nazarenko, underlined that the 21st century is an era of narratives and hybrid threats. Religious narratives are increasingly used as instruments of manipulation and disinformation; therefore, strategic communications must become an integral component of state security policy.

Participants in the discussion highlighted the challenge posed by Russia’s strong informational presence in the region and the need to strengthen expert diplomacy and cooperation between diplomatic academies of Ukraine and Arab countries.

Among the participants were Ambassador of Ukraine to Qatar Andrii Kuzmenko, Ambassador of Ukraine to Jordan Myroslava Shcherbatiuk, as well as representatives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine and Ukrainian diplomatic missions in Arab states.

The event demonstrated that Ukraine’s experience in defence and diplomacy has already become part of the global conversation on deterrence and security — and is increasingly shaping the agenda beyond Europe.