'Our drones are Ukraine's oil' - Ukrainian FM says on Kyiv's role in the Middle East
Photo: Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha (Getty Images)
In his interview with Ukrinform, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha stated that Ukraine's drones and counter-drone systems have become a strategic national resource and are already being used as a tool of geopolitical influence. According to him, this has strengthened Ukraine's role not only in Europe but also in the Middle East.
"The main conclusion is that Ukraine is indeed at the center of the international agenda, despite developments in other regions. I felt this firsthand as foreign minister. And this is the position of all EU countries as well as that of the French presidency," he said following the G7 foreign ministers’ summit held in France on March 26–27.
The minister linked this, in particular, to Ukraine's proactive stance in the Middle East. He noted that Kyiv offered its partners in the Gulf states not only words of support but also concrete security solutions.
"And this is appreciated, it works. And it is not just about the war, but also about our role in shaping security and the agenda from Europe to the Middle East. There is a clear understanding of Ukraine’s significance and role. And this agency of ours is becoming more tangible and filled with concrete meaning," he added.
According to Sybiha, Ukraine possesses "its own unique military capabilities, and this is our geopolitical tool."
"Our drones and counter-drone systems are essentially Ukraine's 'oil.' A strategic resource that must be converted into a clear national interest to strengthen our army, our economy, and, of course, to bring long-term peace closer," Sybiha concluded.
Earlier, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that over 200 Ukrainian military experts are helping Middle Eastern countries repel kamikaze drone attacks. According to him, these specialists are already deployed in three countries in the region, with more than 30 experts ready for further deployment.
RBC-Ukraine also reported that Kyiv has sent three teams of counter-Shahed specialists to the Middle East. This effort involves not only sharing unique drone interception expertise but also strengthening Ukraine's own air defense systems, including by integrating PAC-3 missiles into Patriot complexes.
