Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Kyiv has deployed specialist teams to the Middle East to advise governments on countering Iranian Shahed kamikaze drones, while seeking technology transfers and financial support in return.
Speaking to reporters, Zelenskyy said the initiative focuses on technical assessments and defensive expertise rather than combat involvement. Gulf states have faced increasing drone threats and have used significant stocks of air-defence missiles to intercept them.
“This is not about being involved in operations. We are not at war with Iran,” Zelenskyy said. “For us today, both the technology and the funding are important,” he added.
Key developments
• Three Ukrainian teams sent to Qatar, the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia, as well as a US military base in Jordan.
• Kyiv exploring long-term counter-drone defence partnerships with Gulf governments.
• Zelenskyy said Ukraine proposed a $35–50 billion drone defence deal with the United States, which remains unsigned.
• Ukraine concerned the Middle East conflict could divert US air-defence support from the war with Russia.
Zelenskyy also said planned Ukraine–Russia peace talks were postponed after US and Israeli strikes on Iran triggered a regional war.
ℹ️ Reuters
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