KYIV, UKRAINE March 3, 2026 – Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has proposed dispatching Ukraine’s elite drone-interception specialists to help protect Middle Eastern cities from Iranian attacks – but only if regional leaders first persuade Russian President Vladimir Putin to agree to a temporary ceasefire in Ukraine.
In a Bloomberg interview published on March 2, Zelensky highlighted Ukraine’s hard-won expertise in countering Iranian-designed Shahed drones, which Russia has deployed extensively against Ukrainian targets. He suggested that Middle Eastern leaders, who maintain strong ties with Moscow, could request a one-month truce (or even two weeks to two months) to allow Ukrainian operators to assist in defending civilian populations in the region.
“I would suggest the following: leaders of the Middle East have great relations with Russians. They can ask Russians to implement a month-long ceasefire,” Zelensky said. “As soon as the ceasefire is announced, we will send our best operators of drone interceptors to the Middle East countries.”
The offer comes amid escalating tensions in the Middle East following recent Iranian drone and missile strikes on targets in Israel, the UAE, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and other Gulf states. Ukraine has intercepted tens of thousands of similar low-cost drones over four years of war, developing tactics now considered among the world’s most effective.
The proposal builds on earlier moves by Western allies. UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced last week that Britain would deploy Ukrainian drone specialists to support Gulf partners, prompting Zelensky to describe Ukraine’s air-defense experience as “irreplaceable.”
Ukrainian officials have stressed that any deployment would be temporary and tied directly to reduced pressure on Ukraine’s own defenses. Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha has been coordinating related diplomatic efforts.
The statement quickly went viral on social media, including a post by BRICS News that highlighted the offer without noting the ceasefire condition. Reactions have been mixed, with some questioning whether Ukraine can spare experts while still facing daily Russian attacks, while others see it as a bold diplomatic move positioning Ukraine as a global leader in drone defense technology.
No immediate response has been reported from Middle Eastern governments or Moscow. Diplomatic sources indicate talks could intensify in the coming days, with Turkey and Switzerland mentioned as possible venues for further discussions.
Life News Agency will continue monitoring developments as this story unfolds.
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