Ukraine to help in Middle East: Zelenskyy gives key instruction
The president said Ukraine could provide assistance to its partners in protecting lives and stabilizing the situation, while maintaining its defense capacity. Experts and military personnel would be deployed on the ground.
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Volodymyr Zelenskyy / © Associated Press / © Associated Press
Ukraine is ready to assist Middle Eastern countries in stabilizing the situation and protecting civilians from Iranian strike drones, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said in his evening address.
Ukraine is holding consultations with partners in Europe, the United States and countries neighbouring Iran. All of them face a serious challenge in defending against Iranian attack drones — the same type that have targeted Ukrainian cities, towns and infrastructure throughout the war.
«Over the past few days, more than 800 missiles of various types and over 1,400 strike drones have been launched by Iran. Iranian drones and missiles are the key threat to freedom of navigation, and this destabilizes global prices for oil, petroleum products and gas, ” Zelenskyy said.
Ukraine’s potential role in countering Iranian drones
According to the president, Kyiv has already received requests for such assistance.
«Ukraine can help protect lives and stabilize the situation. Partners are reaching out on this, ” he said.
The foreign minister has been tasked, together with intelligence agencies, the defense minister, the Armed Forces command and the secretary of the National Security and Defense Council, with preparing specific support options that would not undermine Ukraine’s own defence capacity.
Zelenskyy said the Armed Forces already possess the necessary resources and capabilities to provide such assistance.
Ukrainian specialists will also work directly on the ground, with coordination details and the redeployment of teams currently under discussion.