U.S. seeks Ukraine’s expertise in countering “Shahed” drones in the Middle East, Zelenskyy says
The United States has asked Ukraine to provide expert support to its military in the Middle East, while Ukrainian specialists are already cooperating with several countries to counter Iranian-made kamikaze drones.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced this, noting that Washington had submitted requests for assistance in two areas of the region.
“There are requests from the American side for expert support for their military in two areas of the region. We are also working on requests from European partners whose forces are stationed there,” Zelenskyy said.
According to the president, he instructed National Security and Defense Council Secretary Rustem Umerov to involve Ukrainian military personnel and the Foreign Ministry in assessing international initiatives related to the situation around the Strait of Hormuz, as well as countries’ readiness to participate in stabilization missions.
Zelenskyy added that Ukrainian teams are already working with five countries to develop effective systems to counter Shahed-type drones.
“Our teams are already cooperating with five countries on countering Shaheds — we have provided expert assessments and are helping build defense systems. Additional requests have been received from other countries,” he said.
The president stressed that Ukraine is interested in the rapid stabilization of the Middle East and reiterated Kyiv’s position on preventing Iran — considered an ally of Russia — from strengthening its influence.
“In the near future, I expect concrete results from these assessments. It is important that Ukraine’s global role in security and the quality of its defense expertise in protecting lives are recognized by all partners,” Zelenskyy said.
Ukrainian instructors deployed to the Middle East were impressed by how U.S. forces intercept Shahed-type attack drones.
Speaking in the UK Parliament, he said that 201 Ukrainian military specialists are already working in the Middle East, with another 34 preparing for deployment.
At the same time, U.S. President Donald Trump said that the United States does not need Ukraine’s assistance in defending against Iranian drone strikes, adding that American drones are “the best in the world.”
Commenting on this, Zelenskyy described such remarks as “rhetoric,” stressing that real cooperation and actions between countries are what truly matter.
He added that U.S. military leadership has repeatedly contacted Ukraine to request expertise in countering Iranian attack drones.
