Ukraine wants money and technology in exchange for helping Middle Eastern countries defend against Iranian kamikaze drones, President Volodymyr Zelensky said, after Kiev sent specialists to four countries in the region.
Zelenski told the media in statements made public on Sunday that each of the three teams sent to the Middle East consisted of dozens of people, who would conduct expert assessments and demonstrate how the drone defense systems should work.
The Gulf states have consumed large quantities of air defense missiles to counter Iran's attack drones and have sought Ukraine's expertise in shooting them down. Kiev shoots down Russian drones every night using a wide range of weapons, including cheaper and smaller drones or jamming equipment.
Zelenskiy said that more than ten countries around the world have requested Ukraine's help on how to counter these attacks.
He said earlier this week that teams had been sent to Qatar, the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia, while another official said specialists were also at a US military base in Jordan.
“It is not about involvement in operations. We are not at war with Iran,” Zelenskiy explained.
“This is about protection and a thorough and complete assessment from our side of how we can counter the Shahed drones,” he added.
He said that what Ukraine will receive in return for assistance is still to be discussed: “Honestly, for us today, both technology and financing are important.”
Zelensky also said he was unsure whether Ukraine and the US would sign an agreement on drone cooperation, which Kiev has been trying to conclude for months.
