He also confirmed that Ukrainian experts are already on the ground sharing expertise in some countries.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Ukraine is expanding cooperation with Middle Eastern countries on air defence, with expert teams already deployed in parts of the region.
In remarks shared on Thursday following an interview with Le Monde, Zelenskyy said the United States and several Gulf states had approached Kyiv.
“The United States has reached out to us regarding their bases in Middle Eastern countries. We’ve also been approached by Saudi Arabia, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Jordan, and Kuwait,” he said in a post on X.
Zelenskyy said Ukrainian specialists are already working on the ground, advising on countering drone threats.
“We’re already working with some of them, and our expert teams are already on the ground, assessing the situation and sharing invaluable experience,” he said, warning that existing systems alone are insufficient.
“No matter how many Patriots, THAADs, or other air defence systems are in the Middle East, that alone is not enough.”
He highlighted the need for “modern interceptors designed to counter heavy drone strikes,” drawing on Ukraine’s battlefield experience against Iranian-made Shahed drones used by Russia during the war.
Zelenskyy added that Kyiv is discussing future equipment deliveries and potential agreements with regional partners.
“Now, we are discussing future deliveries of certain equipment that Ukraine has,” he said, adding that Ukraine is open to selling surplus systems.
He also called for greater financial support, saying defence production is operating below capacity.
“Funding is the scarcest resource today. Our defence industry is currently operating at half capacity,” he said, noting Ukraine seeks financing to boost drone production.
Zelenskyy said cooperation would combine both equipment and expertise, stressing that interceptor drones are effective only within an integrated defence system supported by operational know-how.
His remarks follow earlier statements this month that Ukraine would send military experts to Qatar, the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia, and that Washington had sought Ukrainian assistance in developing more cost-effective ways to counter Iranian missile and drone threats.
