Zelenskyy Offers Advanced Drone Defense Systems to Gulf Allies As Ukraine Pursues Missile Support

(SeaPRwire) –   Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is leveraging battlefield innovations as bargaining chips, providing Ukraine’s anti-drone systems to Middle Eastern allies while seeking more air defense support as the war with Russia enters its fourth year.

Zelenskyy met with United Arab Emirates (UAE) President Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan in Abu Dhabi on Friday, where they discussed an agreement under which Ukraine would supply its cutting-edge counter-drone technology in exchange for ballistic missile support and financial aid.

Following the meeting, Zelenskyy detailed in a wide-ranging interview how Ukraine’s battlefield innovations—specifically its anti-Russian drone systems—are shaping defense partnerships worldwide.

“We have, for example, drone interceptors. We have [a] system of electronic warfare and a lot of things. All these jointly work in one system. This is what we have [that] nobody has,” Zelenskyy told correspondent Matt Finn in Abu Dhabi.

Ukraine is currently sharing elements of that system with at least four Persian Gulf nations—the UAE, Qatar, Jordan and Saudi Arabia—as they face growing threats from Iran’s drone capabilities.

But Zelenskyy stressed the partnership must be reciprocal. Ukraine continues to grapple with a “big deficit” of critical air defense weapons, particularly PAC-3 Patriot missiles used to intercept ballistic threats.

“We are ready to help Middle East countries 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 agreements with Saudi Arabia and Qatar, with a similar deal with the UAE expected soon, according to the AP.

Zelenskyy also warned that the U.S. military’s increasing focus on the Middle East amid escalating tensions with Iran and the ongoing “Operation Epic Fury” could slow weapons deliveries to Ukraine.

He claimed Russia is already strengthening Iran’s military by sharing drone technology—including Shahed “kamikaze” drones—and battlefield tactics developed during the war.

“Russia will share all they know about this war. … They’re already sharing with Iranians,” Zelenskyy said. 

While he stopped short of confirming missile transfers, Zelenskyy suggested Moscow has a strategic interest in prolonging Middle East instability to divert U.S. attention from Ukraine.

“This is what they do,” Zelenskyy said.

On the battlefield, Zelenskyy repeated that Ukraine will not cede territory in the contested Donbas region, arguing it would weaken defenses, harm 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 while addressing Middle East tensions.

More than 270 Russian drones struck Ukraine overnight Friday, killing at least five people, Ukrainian officials said Saturday, according to the AP.

“I hope that President Trump … will find a way to end this war with pressure on the Iranian regime, and I hope that also they will not forget about … the war of Russia against Ukraine,” Zelenskyy said.