Will Ukraine assist Gulf countries against Iran? Zelenskyy responds
The President explained the conditions under which Ukraine would assist Gulf countries in their fight against Iran.
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Volodymyr Zelenskyy / © Associated Press / © Associated Press
So far, Middle Eastern countries have not made direct requests to Ukraine for help against Iranian drones or for any other assistance, including arms.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said this to journalists during Iftar in Kyiv, TSN correspondent Olena Chernyakova reported.
«Leaders of Middle Eastern countries have not approached us directly. I have not discussed this with any leaders. Therefore, it is very difficult to respond to a request if one has not actually been made. There are many messages and contacts at different levels, but no direct request has been received, ” he acknowledged.
The President said that the «Shahed» drones currently being shot down over Gulf countries are the same type of «Shaheds» that have been terrorizing Ukrainians. Ukraine has extensive experience in countering such weapons.
«Now everyone can see that even with the amount of air defense available in the Middle East, the „Shaheds“ still get through. They get through because of the sheer number. Both missiles and „Shaheds“. Essentially, these are the same „Shaheds“ that reach us, ” the head of state said.
He effectively confirmed information published by Bloomberg — that he had offered assistance to Gulf countries in exchange for their influence on Russia to persuade the Kremlin to agree to a ceasefire.
«The Middle East has close economic ties with the Russian Federation and carries influence. If they signal to Russia to stop firing, for example for a month or two, we could then deploy and protect civilians, send our specialists, ” Zelenskyy said.
He also reminded that Ukraine has a 100-year security agreement with the UK, noting that if strikes directly threatened Britain, Ukraine would undoubtedly assist the British.
«At the same time, if partners approach us, they can come to us, and we are ready to train. Regarding arms exchanges, we are interested in this; we have our own production capabilities but also shortages. Gulf countries have the means to help fill this gap, ” Zelenskyy concluded.