The United States does not need Ukraine's assistance in strengthening defenses against drones in the context of ongoing bombings in the Middle East, US President Donald Trump said in an interview on Fox News Radio on Friday, reports The Kyiv Independent.
“No, we don't need any help (from Ukraine) in drone defense,” Trump said in the interview. “We know more about drones than anyone. In fact, we have the best drones in the world,” he said.
Trump's comments represent an unexpected rejection of Kiev's offer to share with the United States and Middle Eastern countries its battle-tested experience and technology to counter Iranian-made attack drones.
The statement also appeared to contradict Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's earlier statement that Kiev had accepted Washington's request for assistance in protecting US military bases in Jordan.
More than 10 countries have already requested Kiev's help, Zelensky said on Friday, after previously confirming that Ukrainian experts had also been sent to Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates.
Ukraine has offered since last year to share with the US its expertise in drone technology – a key battlefield weapon in the war with Russia – in exchange for anti-missile defense systems. But the Trump Administration reportedly rejected the initial offer in August during Zelenskiy's visit to the White House.
Donald Trump's comments also come as his administration has decided to temporarily relax sanctions on Russian oil stuck at sea amid rising global oil prices.
“Possible for Putin to help Iran a little”
In the same interview on Fox News Radio, Donald Trump stated that it is “possible” that Russian President Vladimir Putin “helps” Iran a little, but he made it clear that he has no objection to this.
“I think he might be helping them a little bit, yes, I imagine,” the US president said, before continuing: “And he probably thinks we're helping Ukraine, right?” – AFP reports.
“They're doing it and we're doing it,” Trump added, in a tone that suggested he wasn't too bothered by Russia's support for Tehran.
This is not the first time that Donald Trump has played down the likelihood that Russia will help Iran in its retaliation against the US and Israel. On Sunday, the leader of the White House said: “It's not a big deal, if you look at what happened with Iran in the last week.”
According to American media, Russia is providing Iran with information about the location of American military forces and equipment, including ships and fighter planes, in the ongoing war in the Middle East.
