In a recent interview with NBC News, U.S. President Donald Trump reiterated his stance against providing assistance to Ukraine in its defense against Iranian drones. His comments come amid ongoing discussions about international sanctions against Russia.
When asked about criticism from foreign leaders regarding the lifting of sanctions on Russia, Trump did not address the issue directly. Instead, he expressed surprise at Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s reluctance to negotiate, stating, “Tell Zelensky to make a deal because Putin is ready to make a deal.” He added that negotiating with Zelensky is “much more complicated.”
Trump emphasized that the U.S. does not require assistance, asserting, “The last person we need help from is Zelensky.” He refrained from commenting on whether the U.S. had received any support from Ukraine concerning intercept drones amid operations against Iran.
Earlier in March, President Zelensky announced Ukraine’s intention to assist Middle Eastern countries in defending against Iranian attacks, indicating that Ukrainian experts would be deployed on-site. Reports from the Financial Times suggested that the U.S. and an unnamed Gulf nation are interested in purchasing Ukrainian intercept drones. In response, Iran labeled Ukraine as a “legitimate target.”
President Trump has publicly dismissed the idea of U.S. assistance to Ukraine in countering Iranian drone threats, while expressing skepticism about Zelensky's negotiation efforts. This follows Ukraine's announcement of support for Middle Eastern nations against Iranian aggression, alongside reports of potential drone sales to the U.S.