On March 11-12, the foreign ministries of Ukraine and Poland successfully coordinated the evacuation of 16 Ukrainian nationals from the Middle East to Warsaw. This operation was confirmed by the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry.
The evacuation was facilitated by Ukrainian diplomats stationed in Poland, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, and Kuwait, as the individuals were in precarious situations due to ongoing military conflicts in the region.
In a statement, the ministry expressed gratitude to Polish officials for their organizational support under the framework of #PKWBliskiWschód, and acknowledged the European Union for its coordinating role. The statement emphasized that the solidarity between Ukraine and Poland translates into tangible actions.
Furthermore, the ministry noted that these evacuation efforts are being conducted under the directive of President Volodymyr Zelensky, with the returnees being those who have expressed a desire to come back. Andriy Sybiga, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, is personally overseeing the protection of citizens’ rights and the execution of evacuation plans.
The Ukrainian government reassured that it continues to provide necessary assistance to its citizens in the Middle East and other regions worldwide.
In a related context, on February 28, Israel launched an attack on Tehran, the capital of Iran. Following this, U.S. President Donald Trump announced a significant military operation aimed at eliminating perceived threats from the Iranian regime, accusing it of financing and training militants in Syria, Lebanon, Iraq, and Palestine.
The stated objectives of this operation include dismantling Iran’s missile industry and naval capabilities, as well as preventing further destabilization in the region.
The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) claimed responsibility for launching missiles and drones towards Israel, and for attacks on U.S. military bases in Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE.
In response to the military actions, French President Emmanuel Macron called for an urgent meeting of the United Nations Security Council.
The European Union reiterated its unwavering commitment to ensuring regional security and stability in the Middle East.
President Zelensky remarked on the need to provide Iranians with the opportunity to rid themselves of a “terrorist regime” and to guarantee safety for all nations affected by Iranian attacks.
On March 1, the IRGC announced the initiation of the “most destructive offensive operation in the history of the Islamic Republic” against Israel and U.S. military bases, prompting Trump to urge the Iranian regime to abandon these plans, warning of a strong retaliatory strike.
On March 2, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio indicated that the next phase of military operations against Iran would be even more devastating.
By March 6, Trump called for a complete change in Iran’s leadership, stating he had several candidates in mind for a “good leader.” On March 8, Iran’s Council of Experts elected Mojtaba Khamenei, the son of the late Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, as the third Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic.
Trump declined to comment on Mojtaba Khamenei’s election, simply stating, “We’ll see what happens.” Previously, he had suggested that the new Iranian leader would not last long without the approval of the White House.
The Ukrainian and Polish governments have coordinated the evacuation of 16 Ukrainian nationals from the Middle East, amidst ongoing military conflicts in the region. Concurrently, tensions in the Middle East have escalated following military operations involving Israel and the United States against Iran.