Zelensky claims that the United States of America requested assistance from Ukraine in combating Iranian drones.

 

Zelensky claims that the United States of America requested assistance from Ukraine in combating Iranian drones.(Image: Getty Images)

According to President Volodymyr Zelensky, the United States has requested Ukraine's assistance in defending Gulf allies from Iranian drones. He stated that "requests from the American side" had been made by Ukraine's partners to communicate. The Pentagon didn't say anything. Zelensky made it clear that Ukraine would only help if its own defenses weren't compromised and there were diplomatic benefits for Kiev. He said that Ukraine would be willing to trade in its interceptor drones for more US Patriot air defenses to protect itself from Russian ballistic missiles. There are concerns that Ukraine could suffer as a result of its allies being distracted by the Middle East conflict.

Additionally, there have been concerns regarding a possible shortage of interceptor missiles and Russia taking advantage of rising oil prices, which are a significant source of funding for its war effort. While Zelensky has acknowledged these dangers, he also appears eager to use the crisis to advance Ukraine's national interest. He has spoken with counterparts in the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Bahrain, Jordan, and Kuwait, promising what he refers to as "concrete steps" to assist them in protecting their civilian infrastructure and military bases from Iranian attack.

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Zelensky stated on social media, "It is clear what their main request is to Ukraine." "The Shaheds, which are difficult to intercept without the necessary expertise and weapons, present a serious challenge to anyone who has faced Iranian strikes." "It is in our common interest to assist people in self-defense and to restore stability in critically important supply routes," he added. "Partners are contacting Ukraine for expertise and practical support in defending against Shaheds. Additionally, American requests have been made." Shahed drones, one-way unmanned aircraft based on an Iranian design and manufactured in Russia, have been targeting Ukraine for years. Ukrainians, who have been harmed by US President Donald Trump's erratic policy regarding their defense against Russia's full-scale invasion, have not missed the irony of the US asking for assistance. Under his administration, the US has stopped providing direct military support, but it continues to provide vital intelligence that enables Ukraine to defend itself against missiles and drones and strike targets deep within Russia.

Zelensky seems to want to take advantage of this moment as a diplomatic, military, and financial opportunity after years of Ukraine asking for help. If Ukraine can assist American allies in the Gulf, particularly Saudi Arabia, it might hope for US appreciation. It might also try to win over Arab nations, some of which have long-standing ties to Russia and have tried to avoid taking sides in the Ukraine conflict. For discussions, Gulf delegations have already arrived in Kyiv. According to one source, some had been instructed to remain in the capital of Ukraine until a deal was reached. It is said that the UK is looking for ways to assist Qatar. Additionally, Zelensky might hope that by providing partners in the Gulf with adequate air defenses, he will deter them from using inexpensive drones to bring down expensive and scarce Patriot missiles. There aren't enough Patriot air defenses in Ukraine, and Kyiv doesn't want too many of them to be diverted and wasted in the Middle East. On Thursday, Zelensky told journalists that 800 Patriot PAC-3 missiles had been used recently, more than Ukraine had received throughout the war. "We would like to quietly work with countries – both those we can name and those we cannot – to obtain for ourselves some of the deficit missiles for Patriot systems and transfer the appropriate number of [drone] interceptors," he said in reference to a possible swap.

However, Ukraine's assistance will be limited. In a social media post, Zelensky stated, "Of course, any assistance we provide will only be on the condition that it serves as an investment in our diplomatic capabilities and that it does not weaken our own defense in Ukraine." The Ukrainian Council of Defence Industry's Ihor Fedirko told the BBC that Ukraine could produce 10,000 interceptor drones per month. However, he asserted, political approval at the highest level in Ukraine would be required for any discussion of deliveries to partners outside of Ukraine. Fedirko also warned that it would be much more difficult to provide allies with the training and expertise they need to learn how to use air defenses effectively, even if Ukraine's top political leadership agreed to such transfers in the future. He stated, "Without teaching and training, the weapons are just plastic and metal." "We are able to send you these items. But what are you going to do with them? How are you going to use the weapons? Who will instruct you? "Our training centers in Ukraine are currently completely booked by both our armed forces and our civilians."

Source: BBC