US requests expert support for its military in Middle East – Zelensky
President Volodymyr Zelensky said that Ukraine is working with five partners in the Middle East to counter Shahed drones. He also noted that the United States has requested expert support for its military in two areas in the region.
Zelensky shared this on Telegram following a report by National Security and Defense Council Secretary Rustem Umerov, Ukrinform reports.
"Our teams are already working with five countries on countering ‘shahed’ drones – we have provided expert assessments and are helping build a defense system. Additional requests have been received from other states. There are also requests from the U.S. side regarding expert support for their military personnel in two areas of the region. We are also reviewing requests from European partners whose forces are based in the region," Zelensky said.
He emphasized that Ukraine is interested in the fastest possible and reliable stabilization around Iran, noting that this has global significance in terms of oil and gas markets and pricing, particularly in Europe and Ukraine.
"We also take a principled stance on the unacceptability of any success of the terror campaign of the Iranian regime – a long-time accomplice of Russia. Nowhere in the world can terrorists be allowed to determine the fate of people and countries," he stressed.
Zelensky added that possibilities for international cooperation to restore security in the Strait of Hormuz were also discussed.
"I tasked Rustem Umerov with involving Ukraine’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and our military to assess existing international initiatives concerning the Strait of Hormuz and the real readiness of countries to participate in stabilization missions. I expect specific data from this assessment in the near future. Importantly, all our partners acknowledge Ukraine’s global role in ensuring security and the high quality of Ukraine’s security expertise for the protection of life," he concluded.
For his part, Umerov reported on the work of Ukrainian teams in Gulf countries in a separate Telegram post.
"Over the past week, I visited the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, and Jordan. I held meetings with leadership of those countries and relevant institutions. Additionally, Ukrainian military specialists are operating in each of these countries under the coordination of the National Security and Defense Council," he wrote.
Umerov noted that the experts’ work focuses on two main areas: the use of Ukrainian technologies to counter aerial threats, particularly drone attacks, and consultations with partners on assessing the security situation and developing practical air defense solutions based on Ukraine’s experience.
He added that Ukrainian teams conducted expert assessments of the protection of critical infrastructure and developed specific solutions, as well as providing recommendations to improve the effectiveness of certain air defense systems.
"Interception units have been deployed to protect civilian and critical infrastructure. Work is also underway to expand coverage areas. Further steps for developing long-term security cooperation with each of these countries have also been defined," Umerov said.
He emphasized that Ukraine " stands in defense of life and sovereignty alongside those who support us in preserving our independence" and seeks to further strengthen security partnerships with its allies.
As Ukrinform previously reported, a Ukrainian delegation including military personnel and Umerov departed for the Gulf region on March 10 to help protect lives and stabilize the situation amid escalating tensions following Iranian strikes.