Zelensky says Ukraine is using drone expertise to help 5 countries against Iran’s attacks

KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Ukrainian officials are helping five countries in the Middle East and Gulf region counter attacks by Iranian drones on their territory, while the United States and European countries are among others that have requested support, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Friday.

Read more: Trump’s failure to strong-arm allies on Iran shows that pressure is losing its effect

He added that Ukraine is also considering whether it could have a role in restoring security in the Strait of Hormuz amid the war with Iran.

Ukraine has become one of the world’s leading countries in the production of advanced, battle-tested, interceptor drones that are cheap and effective. They have been playing a key role in its defense against the large-scale Russian invasion for more than 4 years.

“Our teams are already working with five countries on countering Shahed (Iranian) drones – we have provided expert assessments and are helping to build a defense system,” Zelensky told Channel X.

Zelensky has previously said he hopes to provide expertise to the Persian Gulf states targeted by Iran’s Shahed drones, copies of which are extensively used by Russian invading forces, in exchange for advanced air defense missiles that Ukraine needs to counter devastating Russian air attacks. Kiev fears that it will get fewer of the advanced missiles it needs to repel Russian strikes as the Iranian war depletes its stockpile.

Ukrainian expertise helps protect civilian and vital infrastructure

Rustam Umarov, head of Ukraine’s National Security and Defense Council who led a delegation to the Middle East and the Gulf this week, said Ukraine has deployed interceptor units there to help protect civilian and vital infrastructure and is working to expand this protection.

He said on the messaging app Telegram that Ukrainian military specialists are working in the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait and Jordan.

He watches: Inside the Ukrainian drone unit responsible for high-profile strikes

Umarov said Ukraine is evaluating further steps for long-term security cooperation with each of these countries.

The United States has requested expert support for its military personnel in two areas of the region, Zelensky said, adding that Kiev is also reviewing requests from European partners whose forces are stationed in the region.

The relationship between Washington and Kiev regarding cooperation in the field of drones was unclear.

Zelensky said last week that Ukraine was waiting for the White House to approve an agreement on drone production. But a day later, Trump rejected Ukraine’s offer of help, telling Fox News Radio’s “The Brian Kilmeade Show”: “No, we don’t need their help defending the drones.”

Ukraine looks forward to resuming talks with the United States and Russia

Zelensky said late Thursday that he had sent an official delegation to the United States in an attempt to advance pending US-brokered talks on ending the Russian invasion.

The tripartite talks, which have yet to yield any progress on key issues, have remained frozen while the Iranian war has dominated international attention.

The White House did not confirm any meeting with the Ukrainian delegation.

Read more: Zelensky says Ukraine is waiting for US approval of the drone production deal

A senior Kremlin official indicated on Friday that a new round of US-brokered negotiations between Moscow and Kiev is likely to be held soon.

He said: “The pause is temporary, and we hope that it will be temporary with regard to the continuation of the tripartite formula.”

Western European officials over the past year have repeatedly accused Russian President Vladimir Putin of dragging his feet in negotiations as he tries to press his army’s larger battlefield initiative and seize more Ukrainian territory. Russian forces control about 20% of Ukraine.

The conflict in the Middle East affects the war between Russia and Ukraine

The recent conflict in the Middle East, which began on February 28 with Israeli and US strikes on Iran, has diverted international attention from Ukraine’s plight.

He watches: Officials say Iran receives intelligence support from Russia

Meanwhile, Russia is getting a financial windfall from a temporary US waiver on oil sanctions, while Ukraine is severely cash-strapped and still awaiting a €90 billion ($103 billion) loan promised by the European Union.

Putin is widely expected to launch new attacks as the weather improves in Ukraine, increasing pressure on Kiev.

Associated Press writer Michelle Price in Washington contributed to this report.