Zelenskyy tasks MFA, military command with presenting options to support Middle Eastern states
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy held a meeting on the situation in the Middle East and the Gulf region and instructed Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha, intelligence services, Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov, the military command and National Security and Defense Council Secretary Rustem Umerov to present support options for the relevant states.
"Ukraine can help protect lives and stabilize the situation. Partners are reaching out about this. I have instructed the foreign minister of Ukraine, together with the intelligence services, the defense minister, our military command and the NSDC secretary, to present options for support to the relevant states and to provide assistance in such a way that it does not weaken our own defense here in Ukraine," Zelenskyy said on Telegram on Wednesday.
The president added that Ukrainian military personnel possess the necessary capabilities.
"Ukrainian experts will work on site, and teams are already arranging this. We are ready to help protect lives, protect civilians and support real efforts to stabilize the situation and restore, in particular, safe navigation in the region," he said.
The head of state said the Iranian regime has so far shown no real intention to engage in honest diplomacy or fundamental change.
"Today I have already had conversations with the leaders of Jordan and Bahrain. There will also be talks with Kuwait and other countries in the region. All of them face a serious challenge and speak about it openly: Iranian strike drones – the same Shahed UAVs that have been attacking our cities, villages and Ukrainian infrastructure throughout the years of this war," Zelenskyy said.
According to him, in just a few days Iran has already used more than 800 missiles of various types and more than 1,400 strike drones. "Iranian drones and missiles are the key threat to free navigation, and this destabilizes prices for oil, petroleum products and gas worldwide," he said.
"We expect the European Union, European states and the Group of Seven to be active both in eliminating the terrorist capabilities of the Iranian regime and in protecting lives in the region and global stability. We will continue coordinating with our partners," the president said.