US asked Ukraine for help fighting Iranian drones, Zelensky says

4 hours ago

The US has requested Ukraine's assistance in defending Gulf allies against Iranian drones, as stated by President Volodymyr Zelensky.
Ukraine is willing to help under conditions that its own defense is not weakened and that there are diplomatic benefits for Kyiv.
Zelensky suggested a potential swap of Ukrainian interceptor drones for more US Patriot air defenses to counter Russian ballistic missiles.
Concerns exist about Ukraine suffering due to allies being distracted by the Middle East conflict and potential shortages of interceptor missiles.
Zelensky has engaged with Gulf counterparts, offering expertise and support to defend against Iranian drone attacks.
Ukraine has experience with Iranian-designed Shahed drones, used by Russia, making its expertise valuable to the US and Gulf allies.
The US, under Trump's administration, has halted direct military support but continues to provide intelligence aiding Ukraine's defense.
Zelensky sees this as an opportunity for diplomatic, military, and financial gains, including potential gratitude from the US and favor among Arab nations.
Ukraine faces a shortage of Patriot missiles and is cautious about diverting resources from its own defense needs.
Training and expertise are critical for effective use of air defenses, and Ukraine's training centers are currently fully booked.

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