Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy told reporters on Sunday that his country has dispatched three teams of specialists to the Middle East. These groups are conducting expert assessments and demonstrating drone defense systems in a region where states hosting U.S. military bases continue to be targeted by Iran. Zelenskyy emphasized that this is not involvement in combat operations, stating, "We are not at war with Iran," but rather an exchange of expertise gained from years of conflict.
Earlier this week, the Ukrainian leader announced that military teams were sent to Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, and a U.S. base in Jordan. He explained that long-term drone deals could be negotiated with Gulf countries, but what Kyiv receives in return for its assistance remains to be established. Zelenskyy said, "For us today, both the technology and the funding are important," highlighting expectations for material compensation in exchange for Ukraine's hard-earned knowledge in countering Iranian drones.
Throughout the four-year Russia-Ukraine war, Moscow has extensively used Iranian Shahed-136 "suicide" drones, giving Kyiv significant experience in downing them through cheap interceptors, electronic jamming tools, and anti-aircraft weaponry. However, U.S. President Donald Trump has reportedly stated that he does not need Ukraine's help in taking down Iranian drones attacking American targets. Zelenskyy expressed confusion over why Washington has not signed a drone agreement that Kyiv has pushed for months, mentioning a desire for a deal worth $35–50 billion.
As the Russia-Ukraine conflict drags on with no end in sight, Zelenskyy raised concerns that the ongoing war in the Middle East could impact Kyiv's supplies of air defense missiles. He told reporters, "We would very much not like the United States to step away from the issue of Ukraine because of the Middle East," reflecting anxieties about waning Western support. Additionally, he criticized attempts by foreign governments and firms to bypass the Ukrainian state in drone purchases, calling for tighter rules to ensure negotiations go through official political channels.
Source: www.aljazeera.com