Ukrainian forces have engaged in operations outside their borders to help Middle Eastern partners counter Iranian-designed Shahed drones, President Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed Friday. This marks the first official acknowledgment of Kyiv’s involvement in air defense efforts beyond Ukraine’s frontline amid escalating regional tensions.
Zelensky disclosed that Ukrainian military personnel participated in active operations in multiple Middle Eastern countries before a tentative ceasefire was reached this week among Iran, the United States, and Israel. He did not specify the nations involved but noted the use of domestically produced interceptor drones, which have demonstrated effectiveness against the Shahed drones employed by Russian forces within Ukraine.
“This was more than training or exercises; it was about building a functional modern air defense system,” Zelensky told reporters. According to him, 228 Ukrainian experts were deployed in the region to support these efforts, assisting partners in strengthening their security in exchange for supplies crucial to Ukraine’s resilience, including weapons to protect energy infrastructure, fuel, and in some cases, financial aid.
The disclosure comes amid widespread concern that conflict in the Middle East could divert Western military support away from Ukraine. Zelensky, however, reassured that assistance continues, noting the arrival of new missile shipments for Patriot air defense systems and sustained cooperation with international partners.
Looking ahead, Zelensky warned of a challenging spring and summer for Ukraine as battlefield pressures intensify and U.S. political focus shifts toward domestic elections. He disclosed having urged U.S. representatives Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner to visit Kyiv and suggested initiating trilateral talks with Moscow, although the timing and location of such discussions remain uncertain. U.S.-led negotiations have yet to advance on key issues, complicated further by shifting geopolitical priorities.
In parallel, Zelensky emphasized the importance of maintaining stringent sanctions on Russian oil exports. He warned that any relaxation could enable Moscow to prolong its war effort by capitalizing on high global energy prices, a situation compounded by disruptions in the Gulf and Iran’s blockade of the Strait of Hormuz. While Kyiv has intensified strikes on Russian energy infrastructure to curb revenue, the president acknowledged partner requests to moderate attacks amid the regional instability.
Regarding the ongoing conflict, Zelensky expressed readiness to observe a ceasefire following Russian President Vladimir Putin’s announcement of a temporary Easter truce. Putin ordered a 32-hour halt to hostilities over the Orthodox Easter weekend, labeling the move as humanitarian. However, the Kremlin maintains its stance on pursuing a comprehensive settlement aligned with longstanding demands, which continues to hinder progress.
Meanwhile, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov confirmed that Putin’s envoy, Kirill Dmitriev, is in the United States for economic discussions unrelated to the war. Dmitriev’s visit coincides with the expiration of a 30-day waiver on Russian oil sanctions, underscoring the complex interplay of economic and security issues as the conflict persists.