Kyiv expands battlefield-tested drone expertise abroad while seeking deeper cooperation with U.S. and allies.
By yourNEWS Media Newsroom
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Friday that Kyiv has deployed military expertise to assist five countries in the Middle East and Gulf region in defending against Iranian drone attacks, as the conflict involving Iran continues to widen.
According to Zelenskyy, Ukrainian specialists are actively supporting efforts to counter Iranian “Shahed” drones by providing technical assessments and helping establish defensive systems. In a statement shared on X, he said Ukrainian teams are already engaged with partner nations confronting ongoing aerial threats.
Ukraine’s National Security and Defense Council confirmed that personnel have been sent to the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, and Jordan. Rustem Umerov, who leads the council, said interceptor units have been positioned to help protect civilian populations and critical infrastructure, with additional deployments under consideration.
Zelenskyy stated that 228 Ukrainian experts are currently operating across the region. He added that the United States has requested advisory support for its forces in two locations, while European countries with military presence in the region have also sought assistance.
Kyiv’s growing role stems from its experience countering Russian drone attacks during more than four years of war, where it has developed relatively low-cost, effective interceptor systems. Iran has been a key supplier of drones to Russia, strengthening military ties between Tehran and Moscow.
Zelenskyy indicated that Ukraine is also evaluating whether it can contribute to securing the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global shipping route affected by the ongoing conflict.
The Ukrainian leader has previously signaled interest in exchanging drone expertise with Gulf nations in return for advanced air defense systems, which Kyiv says it urgently needs as stockpiles are strained by simultaneous global conflicts.
Ukraine has also proposed broader cooperation with the United States, including joint efforts involving interceptor drones, naval drones, and long-range systems. However, the status of that partnership remains uncertain. President Donald Trump recently rejected the idea of relying on Ukrainian drone assistance, stating in a radio interview that such support was not needed.
Meanwhile, Zelenskyy said a Ukrainian delegation has been dispatched to Washington in an effort to revive stalled U.S.-mediated negotiations aimed at ending Russia’s invasion. The talks have been paused as international attention has shifted toward the Middle East conflict.
The White House has not confirmed any scheduled meetings with the delegation.
Zelenskyy said Ukraine’s priorities in Washington include restarting trilateral negotiations and ensuring continued access to U.S. weapons through allied purchases. A senior Kremlin official signaled that negotiations between Moscow and Kyiv could resume in the near future, describing the current pause as temporary.
Russia currently controls nearly one-fifth of Ukrainian territory, and Western officials have accused Russian President Vladimir Putin of prolonging negotiations while advancing military operations. With improved weather conditions expected, Ukraine anticipates further offensives.
Zelenskyy said Ukrainian countermeasures have already disrupted a planned Russian push earlier this spring.
At the same time, Kyiv faces mounting financial pressure as it awaits a promised 90-billion-euro loan from the European Union. The situation is further complicated by shifting global dynamics, including energy market changes linked to the Iran conflict, which have provided Russia with increased oil revenues.
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