Ukraine offers drone defense expertise to Middle East countries in exchange for aid

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has announced that Kyiv has deployed expert teams to four Middle Eastern countries to provide training and assessment on countering Iranian-made combat drones. In exchange for this technical expertise and assistance, Ukraine is seeking financial support and technology. According to Israeli media reports, including Ynet News, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu requested this assistance from Ukraine due to its extensive experience in intercepting Russian-operated Iranian drones. Ukrainian Ambassador to Israel Yevhen Korniychuk confirmed the receipt of such requests, though noted that no direct conversation between Netanyahu and Zelenskyy has occurred to date. Tensions have risen following a statement on March 14 by Ebrahim Azizi, head of the Iranian Parliament's National Security Committee, who warned that Ukraine risks becoming a target for Iranian attacks due to its involvement in these defense efforts. Meanwhile, U.S. President Donald Trump has publicly rejected the prospect of Ukrainian involvement in regional security, stating that he does not require assistance from Zelenskyy. The initiative remains a focal point of international diplomatic and military debate regarding regional security architectures.