Ukraine extends helping hand to West Asia, but with a begging bowl

Amid the raging conflict in the Middle East, Ukraine has extended a helping hand to West Asia, albeit with a begging bowl as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy sought funding in exchange for allowing the US and its allies in the Gulf to use its modern drone interceptors.

In a social media post on X, Zelenskyy said that Ukraine has been approached by the United States and Middle Eastern countries Saudi Arabia, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Jordan, and Kuwait seeking assistance in the interception of Iranian drones.

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“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.

It is not that US and its Gulf allies lack effective air defences but their problem is more mathematical than technological.

An Iranian kamikaze drone is estimated to cost between USD 20,000, while a single US Patriot missile used to destroy them can cost up to USD 4 million.

“No matter how many Patriots, THAADs, or other air defense systems are in the Middle East, that alone is not enough for fully effective air defense. There are modern interceptors designed to counter heavy drone strikes,” Zelenskyy said.

He said that discussions are underway for future deliveries of “certain equipment” that Ukraine has developed to counter Russian drone attacks.

In exchange, the Ukrainian President asked the Gulf nations facing Iran’s wrath for “an opportunity to strengthen ourselves”.

“They have some air defense missiles that we lack. We would like to reach agreements on this,” he said.

He also sought more funds from the US and Middle Eastern countries. “Funding is the scarcest resource today. Our defense industry is currently operating at half capacity, and we need more financing to produce drones for ourselves.”

Zelenskyy said that this is the reason he has agreed to “sell to our partners the systems we have in surplus.”

“And we’re not just selling – we’ll provide our expertise as well. Interceptor drones don’t work without our expertise. It’s the system that works,” he added.