Arabic version: أوكرانيا تسعى للحصول على تمويل وتكنولوجيا لدعم الطائرات المسيرة في الشرق الأوسط

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced that Ukraine is looking for financial support and technology in exchange for its assistance in downing Iranian drones in the Middle East during the ongoing Israel-United States conflict with Iran. Zelenskyy stated that three teams were sent to the region to undertake expert assessments and demonstrate how drone defenses work against Iranian threats targeting countries hosting U.S. military bases.

According to Al Jazeera, Zelenskyy emphasized that Ukraine is not engaged in warfare with Iran but is providing expertise to bolster defenses in the region. The teams have been sent to Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, and a U.S. military base in Jordan to assist in these efforts.

Zelenskyy indicated that while Ukraine has valuable experience in countering Iranian drones, particularly the Shahed-136, the country is also keen on negotiating long-term drone agreements with Gulf nations. He highlighted the importance of securing both funding and technology from these partnerships to enhance Ukraine’s defense capabilities.

The Ukrainian leader expressed frustration over the lack of a formal drone agreement with the U.S., despite efforts to establish a deal valued between $35 billion and $50 billion. He voiced concerns that the ongoing conflict in the Middle East might divert U.S. attention and resources away from supporting Ukraine in its ongoing war with Russia.

Additionally, Zelenskyy addressed issues related to procurement, stating that rules need to be tightened to prevent foreign governments and companies from bypassing the Ukrainian state in negotiations for military equipment. He noted that contracts typically originate through political channels before the private sector engages in discussions with Ukraine.