Ukraine seeks money and technology in exchange for drone support in the Middle East | War between the United States and Israel against Iran News

Ukraine’s leader previously said advisers were sent to Qatar, the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia to help thwart Iranian drone attacks.

Ukraine wants money and technology as revenge after sending specialists to the Middle East to help shoot down Iranian drones during the ongoing war between Israel and the United States against Iran.

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy told reporters on Sunday that three teams have been sent to the region to conduct expert assessments and demonstrate how drone defenses work as Middle Eastern countries continue to be targeted by Iran for hosting US military bases.

“This is not about engaging in operations. We are not at war with Iran,” Zelenskyy said.

Earlier this week, Ukraine’s leader announced that military equipment has been sent to Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia and a US military base in Jordan.

But he explained that more long-term drone deals could be negotiated with Gulf countries, and that it is still necessary to establish what kyiv gets in return for its assistance.

“For us today, both technology and financing are important,” Zelenskyy said.

Throughout the four-year war between Russia and Ukraine, Moscow has used Iranian Shahed-136 “suicide” drones extensively, giving kyiv experience in knowing how to shoot down UAVs using cheap drone interceptors, electronic jamming tools and anti-aircraft weaponry.

However, US President Donald Trump has said he does not need Ukraine’s help to shoot down Iranian drones attacking US targets.

“The rules must be tightened”

Zelenskyy said he does not know why Washington has not signed a drone deal with kyiv, which it has pushed for months.

“I wanted to sign a deal worth between $35 billion and $50 billion,” he said.

Still, as the conflict between Russia and Ukraine continues with no end in sight, Zelenskyy expressed concern that the ongoing war in the Middle East will affect kyiv’s air defense missile supplies.

“We would very much not like the United States to walk away from the Ukraine issue because of the Middle East,” he told reporters.

But as interest in Ukrainian drone interceptors has grown in light of the war, Zelenskyy said kyiv’s rules for purchasing drones must be stricter, and that foreign countries and companies cannot bypass the government and talk directly to manufacturers.

“Unfortunately, representatives of certain governments or companies want to bypass the Ukrainian state to purchase specific equipment,” Zelensky told reporters.

“Even in some free countries, we do not initially receive contracts from the private sector. A contract comes to me through the political channel. Only then does the private sector start negotiating with us.”