President Volodymyr Zelensky has announced that Ukraine is preparing a plan to deploy military specialists to the Gulf region to assist partner countries in protecting themselves from Iranian drone and missile attacks.
According to Zelensky, the initiative is part of broader diplomatic and security discussions with several Middle Eastern leaders amid rising tensions in the region. He revealed that on Wednesday he held talks with leaders of the United Arab Emirates and Qatar, while on Thursday he spoke with officials from Jordan and Bahrain.
The Ukrainian president said the proposal emerged after consultations with senior government officials and military commanders regarding the ongoing conflict dynamics in the Middle East. During those discussions, he instructed authorities to explore ways Ukraine could support its international partners without undermining the country’s own defense capabilities as it continues to confront Russia’s invasion.
Zelensky emphasized that Ukraine has developed significant expertise in countering aerial threats, particularly drones and missile attacks, after more than two years of large-scale war. This experience, he said, could now help allied countries strengthen their defensive systems.
“Ukraine can help protect lives and restore security,” Zelensky wrote in a message posted on the social media platform X.
He added that Ukrainian military specialists possess the necessary capabilities to assist and that teams are already coordinating the potential deployment. According to Zelensky, these experts would operate directly in partner countries to help enhance air defense strategies and protect civilian populations.
“Our military has the required expertise. Ukrainian specialists will work on site, and teams have already begun coordinating these efforts,” he said. “We are ready to help protect lives, safeguard civilians, and support real actions aimed at restoring stability in the region.”
The proposal signals Kyiv’s intention to expand its security cooperation beyond Europe while leveraging the operational experience it has gained defending its own territory from sustained drone and missile attacks.
