US asked Ukraine for help fighting Iranian drones, Zelensky says
Ukraine's president says Kyiv will only help if doing so does not deplete its own air defences.
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US asked Ukraine for help fighting Iranian drones, Zelensky says 25 minutes ago Share Save James Landale Diplomatic correspondent, in Kyiv Share Save The US has asked Ukraine for help defending Gulf allies against Iranian drones, according to President Volodymyr Zelensky. He said Ukraine's partners had been reaching out and there had been "requests from the American side". The Pentagon declined to comment. Zelensky made clear Ukraine would help only on the condition that its own defence was not weakened and that there were diplomatic gains for Kyiv - suggesting, in particular, that Ukraine would be willing to swap its interceptor drones for more US Patriot air defences to protect against Russian ballistic missiles. The war in the Middle East has raised fears Ukraine could suffer if its allies are distracted by the conflict. There have also been concerns about a potential shortage of interceptor missiles and Russia benefiting from rising oil prices, the proceeds from which are a key source of funding for its war effort. Zelensky has acknowledged these risks but also seems keen to take advantage of the crisis to further Ukraine's national interest. He has spoken to counterparts across the Gulf - in the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Bahrain, Jordan and Kuwait - and is promising what he calls "concrete steps" to help them defend their military bases and civilian infrastructure from Iranian attack. How depleted weapons stockpiles could affect the Iran conflict In maps: Six days of strikes across the Middle East Checkpoints everywhere and queues for bread: Fear in Iran as US-Israeli strikes intensify "It is clear what their main request to Ukraine is," Zelensky said on social media. "Anyone who has faced Iranian strikes encounters a serious challenge - Shaheds, which are difficult to intercept without the proper expertise and adequate weapons." He added: "It is in our common interest to help people defend themselves and to restore stability in critically important supply r...
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