Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says his country wants financial compensation and advanced technology in exchange for helping Middle Eastern countries defend against Iranian drone attacks. Ukraine has deployed specialist teams to four nations in the region to share their expertise in countering the same type of drones Russia uses against Ukraine.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced Sunday that his nation expects financial compensation and advanced technology in exchange for providing drone defense expertise to Middle Eastern countries facing Iranian attacks.
Speaking to reporters in Kyiv on March 15, Zelenskyy revealed that Ukraine has deployed specialist teams to four regional nations to share knowledge gained from nightly battles against Russian drone strikes. Each deployment consists of several dozen experts who will evaluate current defenses and demonstrate effective countermeasures.
Middle Eastern nations, particularly Gulf states, have been burning through costly air defense missiles to stop Iranian attack drones and are now turning to Ukraine for more efficient solutions. Ukrainian forces have developed expertise using less expensive methods, including smaller interceptor drones and electronic jamming systems to neutralize threats.
The Ukrainian president disclosed that specialist teams have been sent to Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, and Saudi Arabia, with another group working at a U.S. military installation in Jordan. Nearly a dozen countries worldwide have requested similar assistance from Ukraine.
Zelenskyy emphasized the limited scope of Ukraine’s involvement, stating: “This is not about being involved in operations. We are not at war with Iran. This is about protection and a thorough, complete assessment on our part of how to counter the Shaheds,” referring to Iran’s signature attack drones.
The Ukrainian leader acknowledged that compensation terms remain under negotiation but made clear his country’s expectations. “Honestly, for us today, both the technology and the funding are important,” Zelenskyy said.
Meanwhile, Zelenskyy expressed uncertainty about finalizing a separate drone cooperation agreement with the United States, which Ukraine has been pursuing for several months.
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