Ukraine in talks with Middle East countries on defense deals, Zelenskyy says
Photo: Volodymyr Zelenskyy, President of Ukraine (Getty Images)
Ukraine is holding talks with Middle Eastern countries on defense agreements while simultaneously offering the United States a so-called drone deal, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said while answering journalists’ questions.
Talks with the Middle East countries
Ukraine is actively working at a technical level with Middle Eastern countries, both with defense ministries and directly with state leaders.
"First of all, we are working with the Middle East, with leaders, at a technical level, with defense ministries. We are preparing serious agreements and deals — we will see when they are ready," Zelenskyy said.
Drone deal for the US
Zelenskyy recalled that Ukraine proposed a drone deal to the United States as early as a year ago. According to him, it goes beyond interceptor drones — the package includes naval and long-range drones already tested in combat, as well as knowledge-sharing and training.
"I am very interested in signing this agreement with our close partner, the United States of America. So when President Trump is ready, I will definitely be ready," the President added.
He said Ukraine’s negotiating team will also discuss this issue.
228 experts in five countries
Currently, 228 Ukrainian specialists are deployed in Qatar, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and Jordan — more than previously reported.
Zelenskyy said he would not disclose details of the mission, but noted that local air defense specialists are well trained, though mainly focused on ballistic threats.
"When it comes to short-range air defense and how to counter mass Shahed attacks, I think no one has such experience," the President stressed.
Earlier, RBC-Ukraine reported that Ukrainian instructors sent to the Middle East were surprised by allies’ inefficiency in countering drones.
In particular, they noted that up to eight Patriot missiles, each costing more than $3 million, were used to intercept a single target.
Allies also did not use the advanced calculations Ukraine has developed over the years of war to improve interception rates.
Ukrainian specialists also pointed to a critical issue with camouflage: expensive allied radars remained in the same positions for months and were destroyed by a few low-cost Shahed drones.
The United States has requested Ukraine’s expert support for its forces in the Middle East, and Zelenskyy instructed National Security and Defense Council Secretary Rustem Umerov to involve the military and the Foreign Ministry in assessing the situation around the Strait of Hormuz.
Ukrainian teams are already assisting five countries in building defenses against Shahed drones, with requests coming from other states as well.
Kyiv stresses that it fundamentally opposes any success by Iran in the region, as it is an ally of Russia.
