Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced on March 20 that his country is actively collaborating with five nations to combat Iranian-made Shahed drones in the Middle East. This initiative follows a report from Rustem Umerov, the Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council.
Zelensky stated that discussions are ongoing with international partners at various levels, focusing on expert assessments and assistance in building defense systems against these drones. He noted that additional requests for support have come from other countries, including the United States, which is seeking expert military assistance.
The president emphasized the importance of stabilizing the situation around Iran, highlighting its global implications for oil and gas markets, particularly in Europe and Ukraine. He reiterated Ukraine’s firm stance against any success of terrorist activities linked to the Iranian regime, which he described as a long-time ally of Russia.
Furthermore, Zelensky mentioned the potential for international cooperation to enhance security in the Strait of Hormuz. He has tasked Umerov with involving the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry and military officials to evaluate existing international initiatives related to the Strait and assess the willingness of other nations to participate in stabilization missions.
On March 17, Zelensky revealed that 201 Ukrainian experts are currently deployed in the Middle East and the Persian Gulf, with an additional 34 ready for deployment. These personnel include military experts trained to defend against Shahed drones. Ukrainian teams are already present in the UAE, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia, with plans to move to Kuwait.
The deployment of these experts was made at the request of partner nations, including the United States. Zelensky characterized this move as a practical aspect of a drone agreement proposed to the U.S., which remains under discussion.
In a related development, U.S. President Donald Trump publicly dismissed the idea of providing assistance to Ukraine in countering Iranian drones, stating that Washington does not require help from Zelensky.
Earlier in March, Zelensky had expressed Ukraine’s commitment to assist Middle Eastern countries in defending against Iranian attacks, with Ukrainian experts working on-site. Reports from the Financial Times indicated that the U.S. and an unnamed Persian Gulf nation are interested in acquiring Ukrainian interceptor drones, while Iran has labeled Ukraine as a ‘legitimate target.’
Ukraine is intensifying its efforts to counter Iranian drone threats by collaborating with five nations in the Middle East. President Zelensky emphasized the importance of stabilizing the region and highlighted ongoing military support initiatives.