President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced cooperation with Middle Eastern countries on countering Iranian Shahed drones, but stressed that protecting people in Ukraine remains the top priority.
The head of state said this in his evening address.
“At the level of our teams – the Ukrainian team, the teams of the Emirates and Qatar, and other states – we will determine how, together, we can provide stronger protection for life. Ukraine’s expertise in countering “shahed” drones is currently the most advanced in the world, and these drones represent the primary challenge in that region as well. It is clear why so many requests are directed to Ukraine,” Zelenskyy said.
However, he emphasized that any such cooperation to protect partners is possible only without reducing Ukraine’s own capabilities.
The President noted that Russia’s war and its strikes continue, and that protecting Ukrainians is the first priority. He also spoke about his conversations with the President of the United Arab Emirates, Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, and the Emir of Qatar, Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani.
“We will continue this diplomatic engagement with the broader Middle East and Gulf region. Ukraine stands in solidarity with all those who are resisting the spread of war and violence. For decades, the Iranian regime has invested in destroying the lives of its neighbors and others wherever it could reach. It was on that very foundation that they became accomplices of Russia in the war against Ukraine,” the President said.
He added that every Iranian ‘Shahed’ in Ukraine’s sky proves that the Iranian regime must be held accountable for its attempts to destroy lives and people.
Zelenskyy called it important that the defenders of life prevail in this confrontation.
