US President Donald Trump has said that the United States does not need Ukraine’s help in defence against drones as part of the operation against Iran. He said this in an interview with Fox News, which aired on 13 March.
“No, we don’t need their (Ukrainian – ed.) help in defence against drones. We know more about drones than anyone else. In fact, we have the best drones in the world,” Trump said in response to a question from the host.
On 9 March, President Volodymyr Zelensky revealed that Ukraine had received 11 requests for drones capable of repelling drone attacks after the US and Israeli operation against Iran began. According to him, such requests were made by countries that are regional neighbours of Iran, as well as European states and the USA.
On 4 March, the president said that Ukraine would help countries in the Middle East to defend themselves against Iranian attacks, Ukrainian experts will work on the ground and this has already been agreed upon.
The Financial Times also wrote that the USA and an unnamed Persian Gulf country were interested in buying Ukrainian interceptor drones to shoot down Iranian “Shaheds”. Meanwhile, Zelenskyy offered the Middle East countries a “quiet exchange” and assistance: in return, he wants to receive missiles for air defence systems.