Ukraine is ready to make its contribution to unblocking Strait of Hormuz - MFA
Photo: Andrii Sybiha (Getty Images)
Ukraine’s combat experience in countering naval blockades could be useful for protecting shipping in the Strait of Hormuz amid actions by Iran, states Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Connection between Russia’s aggression and Iran’s actions
During an international meeting on restoring freedom of navigation, the Foreign Minister stressed that Iranian terror is not abstract for Ukrainians, who face daily attacks by Shahed drones.
Andrii Sybiha drew a direct parallel between the Russian blockade of the Black Sea and the current situation in the Strait of Hormuz.
According to him, terrorist regimes exchange experience, and Iran is turning energy into a weapon just as Russia attempted to do with food.
"What Iran is doing today in the Strait of Hormuz, Russia did yesterday in the Black Sea. The problem is that Iran has learned from Russia’s mistakes and drawn conclusions," the minister emphasized.
Ukraine’s experience and global security
Ukraine has already sent specialists to Middle Eastern countries to strengthen security cooperation. Sybiha reminded that the Armed Forces of Ukraine managed to break Russia’s blockade thanks to naval drones and a determined strategy.
"There are no longer isolated regional conflicts. Ukraine’s combat experience is valuable for the Middle East. Global security is interconnected," the Foreign Minister noted.
He added that Ukraine is ready to contribute to protecting freedom of navigation and work with partners to help end the blockade.
Ukraine’s cooperation with Middle Eastern countries
Earlier, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that more than 200 Ukrainian military experts are already operating in the Middle East. They help partners intercept Iranian suicide drones by sharing unique combat experience.
According to the head of state, 11 countries have already turned to Ukraine for assistance in defending against drones. Ukrainian teams of specialists are currently deployed in five countries in the region, and the United States has officially approached Kyiv for expert support for its military in the Middle East.
Ukraine is also negotiating major defense agreements with countries in the region and has proposed to the United States a "drone deal" cooperation format that provides for the exchange of technologies and practical experience in countering UAVs.
