Ukrainian President’s Office Chief Kyrylo Budanov has indicated that the ongoing conflict involving the United States and Israel against Iran presents Ukraine with a significant opportunity to expand its arms exports to Middle Eastern nations. During a recent meeting with the CEO Club Ukraine, Budanov emphasized the importance of seizing this moment.
“There is considerable interest in our expertise, particularly in defensive technologies against drones and similar threats. This demand must be leveraged. This window of opportunity will not last indefinitely. We must occupy our niche, or it will be filled by others. They will not wait for us to decide to start selling to them,” Budanov stated.
He also highlighted the necessity for Ukraine to develop a complete production cycle to reduce reliance on external suppliers, referencing past challenges posed by Chinese restrictions that had increased costs and complicated production for Ukraine.
Budanov asserted that the future success of Ukraine rests solely on the actions of its government and citizens. “Our success is not a priority for many. As we progress, various parties emerge, either attempting to surpass us or to undermine our efforts,” he remarked.
On March 27, President Volodymyr Zelensky visited Saudi Arabia, where bilateral agreements on defense cooperation were established. Similar agreements have also been reached with the United Arab Emirates and Qatar.
In the context of the military operations against Iran, on February 28, Israel launched an attack on the Iranian capital, Tehran. Subsequently, former President Donald Trump announced that U.S. forces had initiated a “major combat operation” aimed at neutralizing perceived threats from the Iranian regime, accusing it of supporting militant activities in Syria, Lebanon, Iraq, and Palestine.
Trump outlined the objectives of the operation as the dismantling of Iran’s missile industry and naval capabilities, alongside efforts to prevent global destabilization.
In response, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) claimed to have launched missiles and drones targeting Israel, as well as attacking U.S. military bases in Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE.
Amid these developments, French President Emmanuel Macron called for an urgent United Nations Security Council meeting, while the European Union reaffirmed its commitment to maintaining regional security and stability in the Middle East.
President Zelensky remarked on the importance of providing Iranians with a chance to rid themselves of what he termed a “terrorist regime” and to ensure the safety of nations affected by attacks originating from Iran.
On February 28, Trump announced the death of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, a claim later confirmed by the Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA).
On March 1, the IRGC declared the commencement of “the most destructive offensive operation in the history of the Islamic Republic” against Israel and U.S. bases. Trump warned the Iranian regime to abandon these plans, threatening a “very strong response.”
On March 2, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that the next phase of military operations against Iran would be even more devastating.
By March 6, Trump called for a complete overhaul of Iran’s leadership, suggesting he had potential candidates for a “good leader.”
On March 8, Iran’s Assembly of Experts elected Mojtaba Khamenei, son of the slain ayatollah, as the new Supreme Leader. Trump declined to comment on this development, stating, “We’ll see what happens,” while previously asserting that the new Iranian leader would not last long without the approval of the White House.
On March 26, Trump announced a suspension of the destruction of Iranian energy facilities until April 6, attributing the decision to a request from the Iranian government as negotiations continued.
Kyrylo Budanov, head of Ukraine's presidential office, highlighted the potential for Ukraine to expand arms exports to the Middle East amid U.S.-Israel tensions with Iran. He emphasized the need for Ukraine to develop its production capabilities and seize this opportunity before it closes.