According to him, these countries have a clear interest in Ukrainian experience in protecting life, relevant interceptors, electronic warfare systems, and training. “Ukraine is ready to respond positively to the requests of those who help us defend the lives of Ukrainians and the independence of Ukraine. We have already responded to some of the requests with specific decisions and specific support,” the president noted.
He noted that the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine, together with the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and the defense forces, will determine what other requests Ukraine can respond positively to and not reduce its own capabilities to defend itself.
“Ukraine’s priority is clear: the Iranian regime should not gain any advantage over the defenders of life, and we all need to work together for tangible stabilization both in the region and in global markets,” Zelensky wrote.
He added that every point of production of Shahed is known. The president also noted that Iran and the aggressor country Russia support each other, and more and more information is emerging, in particular, about Russian details in Shahed that are hitting Iran’s neighbors.
Context
After the United States and Israel launched a military operation against Iran on February 28, the Islamic State responded with strikes, including against countries in the Middle East where there are American military facilities. Strikes with Iranian ballistic missiles and Shahed drones, which the Russian Federation regularly attacks Ukraine with, were carried out, in particular, on the UAE, Qatar, Bahrain, and Saudi Arabia.
After this, Zelensky said that he could send the best Ukrainian specialists to the Middle East if the leaders of the region convince the illegitimate president of the aggressor country, Vladimir Putin, to agree to a month-long truce in Russia’s war against Ukraine.
In an interview with Rai Italia published on March 5, the president also informed that Ukraine is receiving requests from partners in the Middle East, as well as Europe and the United States, to provide expertise in the fight against Iranian Shahed kamikaze drones used against civilian targets. At the same time, Zelensky recalled that the war continues in Ukraine itself and the country has a shortage of PAC-2 and PAC-3 missiles for the Patriot air defense system.
Also on March 5, Zelensky said that the US authorities had sent a request to Ukraine to provide assistance to Middle Eastern countries in repelling attacks by Iranian drones. He said that he had instructed to provide “the necessary funds and ensure the presence of Ukrainian specialists who can provide the necessary security.”
On March 7, Reuters reported that the United States and Qatar are negotiating the purchase of Ukrainian P1-Sun interceptor drones.
