Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is turning battlefield innovation into bargaining power, offering Ukrainian anti-drone systems to Middle Eastern allies as he seeks more air defense support as the war with Russia enters its fourth year.
Zelenskyy met with Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), in Abu Dhabi on Friday and the two discussed a deal under which Ukraine would supply its advanced counter-drone technology in exchange for ballistic missile support and financial assistance.
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Ukraine now shares elements of that system with at least four Persian Gulf states – the UAE, Qatar, Jordan and Saudi Arabia – as they face growing threats from Iran’s drone capabilities.
But Zelensky emphasized that the partnership must be reciprocal. Ukraine continues to face a “major shortage” of crucial air defense weapons, particularly PAC-3 Patriot missiles used to intercept ballistic threats.
“We are ready to help the countries of the Middle East with our expertise and with our knowledge, and we hope … that they can help with anti-ballistic missiles,” Zelenskyy said.
Ukraine has already signed 10-year defense deals with Saudi Arabia and Qatar, and a similar deal with the UAE is expected soon, the AP said.
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A plume of smoke rises from the site of a strike in Tehran, early March 28, 2026. (Atta Kenare/AFP via Getty Images)
Zelenskyy also warned that an increasing US military focus on the Middle East, amid escalating tensions with Iran and the ongoing ‘Operation Epic Fury’, could slow the flow of weapons to Ukraine.
He claimed that Russia is already strengthening Iran’s military by sharing drone technology, including Shahed “kamikaze” drones, as well as battlefield tactics developed during the war.
“Russia will share everything they know about this war. … They are already sharing it with the Iranians,” Zelenskyy said.
Although he stopped short of confirming missile transfers, Zelenskyy suggested that Moscow has a strategic interest in prolonging instability in the Middle East to divert US attention from Ukraine.
“This is what they do,” Zelensky said.
On the battlefield, Zelenskyy reiterated that Ukraine will not cede territory in the disputed Donbas region, arguing that doing so would weaken defenses, damage troop morale and displace tens of thousands of civilians.
“I think their morale will decrease,” Zelenskyy said.
He also urged the Trump administration not to lose sight of Ukraine in tackling tensions in the Middle East.
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Destroyed houses after a Russian drone strike on March 28 in Odesa, Ukraine. (Viacheslav Onyshchenko/Global Images Ukraine via Getty Images)
More than 270 Russian drones struck Ukraine on Friday night, killing at least five people, Ukrainian officials said on Saturday, according to AP.
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“I hope that President Trump … will find a way to end this war by putting pressure on the Iranian regime, and I hope that they also … will not forget Russia’s war against Ukraine,” Zelenskyy said.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
