• Ukrainian defense startups attract US private investment and Pentagon interest.
• US export laws hinder development of cutting-edge defense products in the US.
• Ukrainian companies face month-long waits for approval, impacting competitiveness.

The interest in Ukrainian defense startups may indicate a growing recognition of their innovative capabilities, but US export laws could hinder cooperation and slow the development of critical technologies. This may suggest a need for regulatory adjustments to facilitate collaboration and support the growth of the defense industry.