Zelenskiy says Ukraine wants money, technology in return for Middle East drone help

Ukraine has deployed three teams of specialists to the Middle East to assist countries in countering Iranian drone attacks.

“Home News Business Energy Opinion Lifestyle Sports Video Podcast Home News Business Energy Opinion Lifestyle Sports Video Podcast Close the sidebar Home News Middle East Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskiy attends a press conference with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen (not pictured) and European Council President Antonio Costa (not pictured) on the fourth anniversary of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, in Kyiv, Ukraine, February 24, 2026”

Al Arabiya English

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy explicitly stated that Ukraine expects financial compensation and technology in return for this assistance.

Al Jazeera

The deployment consists of dozens of personnel conducting expert assessments and demonstrating effective drone defense mechanisms to nations facing Iranian drone threats.

Zelenskyy emphasized that Ukraine's involvement is focused on providing expertise rather than direct combat operations.

This initiative represents Ukraine leveraging its extensive experience in defending against Russian drone attacks to build international relationships and secure resources for its ongoing conflict.

The drone technology at the center of this geopolitical exchange involves Iranian-developed Shahed drones, which have become increasingly sophisticated and widely deployed across multiple conflict zones.

Zelenskyy confirmed during a CNN interview that it is '100 percent facts' that Iran has used Russian-made Shaheds to attack US bases, revealing a complex supply chain.

The Economic Times

These Shahed drones represent a much cheaper alternative to expensive missiles and have seen mass deployment since fall 2022 in Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

The proliferation of this technology has prompted military forces from multiple countries, including the US military, to adopt similar drone systems.

This has created an urgent global demand for effective defense strategies that Ukraine has positioned itself to provide.

President Zelenskyy has aggressively pursued substantial financial compensation for Ukraine's drone expertise, revealing ambitions for a major drone deal potentially worth $35-50 billion.

“Click here for live updates on the US-Israel Iran war Zelenskiy told reporters in comments cleared for release on Sunday that each of the three teams sent to the Middle East consisted of dozens of people, who will conduct expert assessments and demonstrate how drone defences should operate”

The Economic Times

During his CNN interview, Zelenskyy expressed frustration about the lack of progress on this deal, stating he 'wanted to sign a deal worth about 35–50 billion dollars'.

He expressed uncertainty about whether it would be agreed upon at all, highlighting the challenges in securing such substantial military contracts.

Zelenskyy also criticized unspecified Ukrainian companies and foreign governments for attempting to broker anti-drone equipment deals without Kyiv's approval.

The financial stakes are particularly high given that Ukraine has developed extensive experience in downing Russian drones nightly using an array of weaponry including cheaper, smaller drones or jamming equipment.

Zelenskyy has raised serious concerns about the potential impact of a prolonged Middle Eastern conflict on Ukraine's own supply of air defense missiles.

He warned that the ongoing war could divert critical resources away from Ukraine's defense needs, stating 'We would very much not like the United States to step away from the issue of Ukraine because of the Middle East.'

The Economic Times

These concerns are particularly acute given that the latest round of peace talks between Moscow, Kyiv and Washington was postponed after US and Israeli airstrikes on Iran triggered regional warfare.

Zelenskyy revealed that Washington had suggested meeting in the US for talks the following week, but the Russian side had expressed reluctance to meet there.

This creates diplomatic uncertainty as the conflicts in both regions continue to evolve and compete for international attention and resources.

On the battlefield front, Zelenskyy provided an assessment that Ukraine's military believes Russia's spring offensive has 'already failed,'

“Ukraine wants money and technology as payback after sending specialists to the Middle East to help down Iranian drones during the ongoing Israel-United States war with Iran”

Al Jazeera

noting that Moscow had planned for the offensive to be fully underway by this point.

Al Jazeera

This battlefield assessment comes as Ukraine continues to face immense pressure from multiple fronts,

including the ongoing conflict with Russia and the need to manage its increasingly complex international relationships.

The country's strategy appears to be multifaceted: leveraging its drone defense expertise to secure financial resources and technology while simultaneously maintaining its military defense against Russian aggression.