Ukraine Seeks Payment for Drone Defense Expertise Shared with Middle East Nations

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says his country wants financial compensation and advanced technology in exchange for helping Middle Eastern nations defend against Iranian drone attacks. Ukraine has deployed specialist teams to Qatar, UAE, Saudi Arabia and Jordan to share their expertise in countering drone threats.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced that his nation expects financial compensation and technological transfers in exchange for providing drone defense expertise to Middle Eastern countries facing Iranian aerial attacks.

Speaking to reporters on March 15, Zelenskyy revealed that Ukraine has deployed three specialist teams to conduct evaluations and train regional forces on effective anti-drone operations. These teams were dispatched to Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, and a U.S. military installation in Jordan.

“This is not about being involved in operations. We are not at war with Iran,” Zelenskyy stated.

The Ukrainian leader indicated that broader, long-term agreements for drone defense systems could be established with Gulf nations, though the specific terms of compensation remain under discussion.

“For us today, both the technology and the funding are important,” Zelenskyy emphasized.

Gulf nations have depleted substantial stockpiles of air defense missiles while combating Iran’s Shahed drone attacks. Ukraine has developed cost-effective countermeasures, using smaller interceptor drones and electronic jamming systems to neutralize Russian drone strikes on a nightly basis.

According to Zelenskyy, nations from the United States, Europe, the Middle East, and Africa have all requested Ukrainian assistance in developing anti-drone capabilities.

Despite this international interest, President Donald Trump has stated that America does not require Ukraine’s help with drone defense operations.

Zelenskyy expressed confusion about Washington’s reluctance to finalize a substantial drone defense contract that Ukraine has been promoting for several months, questioning whether any agreement will materialize.

“I wanted to sign a deal worth about 35–50 billion dollars,” he revealed.

The Ukrainian president also criticized unnamed domestic companies and foreign governments for attempting to negotiate anti-drone equipment contracts without official authorization from Kyiv.

Zelenskyy voiced concerns that prolonged Middle Eastern conflicts could impact Ukraine’s access to critical air defense missiles.

“We would very much not like the United States to step away from the issue of Ukraine because of the Middle East,” he told reporters.

Peace negotiations involving Moscow, Kyiv, and Washington, originally scheduled to occur in the UAE, were delayed following U.S. and Israeli military strikes against Iran that escalated regional tensions two weeks ago.

While Washington has proposed conducting the talks in the United States next week, Zelenskyy noted that Russian representatives have rejected meeting on American soil.

“Either they will change the country where we meet, or the Russians must confirm (a meeting in) the U.S.,” he explained.

Regarding military developments, Zelenskyy reported that Ukrainian forces believe Russia’s planned spring offensive has “already failed,” as Moscow had intended for major operations to be fully operational by this time.