Ukraine is ready to help Middle Eastern countries counter Iranian drones, but only on one condition. The leaders of Arab states will need to reach an agreement with the Russian ruler Vladimir Putin on a temporary ceasefire in Ukraine, says President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, UNIAN reports.
Ukraine’s experience in countering mass drone and missile attacks has become one of the most valuable in the world, while the war in the Middle East has shown that even powerful air defense systems do not guarantee full protection against Iranian Shaheds.
Russia has been launching these drones at Ukrainian cities for the fourth year in a row.
Even with strong air defense, Shaheds get through
"They get through because of the large numbers: there are both missiles and drones. These are the same Shaheds that reach us. We intercept their large percentage,” Zelenskyy emphasizes.
According to him, partners understand the Ukrainian military's level of expertise in countering kamikaze drones and combined aerial attacks.
If the states in the region submit an official request, Ukraine is ready to provide specialists to protect civilians and critical infrastructure.
"Send a signal to Moscow, and we will help civilians"
The Ukrainian leader emphasizes that the Middle East has close economic ties with Russia and potential leverage over its decisions. According to him, sending a signal to Moscow about a ceasefire, even for one or two months, could be a condition for deploying Ukrainian specialists to the region.
“If they send a signal to the Russian Federation regarding a ceasefire for some time — a month, two months — then we can send our specialists,” Zelenskyy explains.
Such a format of cooperation could not only be military-technical but also a diplomatic lever of pressure on the Kremlin.
The exchange could evolve into a new format of security partnership
The Ukrainian president has confirmed Ukraine’s interest in exchanging weapons and in joint military training programs with Middle Eastern partners. According to him, both sides have mutual shortcomings and capabilities that could be addressed through cooperation.
“We have our own capabilities that we produce, and we have shortages. And countries in the Middle East face these shortages as well. Therefore, we will be ready for contact. The diplomats have received my instructions. They are communicating,” Zelenskyy concludes.
