Ukraine open to drone-for-missile exchanges with Middle East — Zelenskyy
Volodymyr Zelenskyy (Photo: President's Office)
Ukraine is open to discussions on exchanging technologies and weapons as some Middle Eastern countries face shortages of Patriot air defense missiles and interceptor drones, Volodymyr Zelenskyy said in an interview with Rai Italia on March 5.
“They have missiles for Patriots, but they will not shoot down hundreds or thousands of Shaheds with Patriot missiles — it is too expensive. Of course, nothing is too expensive when it comes to people’s lives, but they simply do not have that many missiles. That is why they need interceptor drones, which we have. At the same time, we have a shortage of PAC-2 and PAC-3 missiles. So if we are talking about an exchange of technologies or weapons, I think our country will be open to it,” Zelenskyy said.
He said Kyiv had received signals from the Middle East and requests for expertise following massive Iranian Shahed drone attacks on Persian Gulf countries. There have also been requests from the United States and Europe for Ukraine to share its experience with the Middle East.
The president also confirmed concerns about a possible reduction in supplies of PAC-2 and PAC-3 interceptor missiles for Patriot air defense systems in Ukraine if the war with Iran continues. Relevant public and nonpublic signals have been received from the United States.
“The concern is that if the war is prolonged, America could reduce deliveries of air defense systems and air defense missiles to Ukraine,” Zelenskyy said.
On March 4, Reuters reported that Ukraine could face a critical shortage of U.S.-made PAC-3 interceptor missiles for Patriot air defense systems because of the U.S. war in Iran. There is also a possibility of delays in weapons deliveries to Ukraine under the PURL program.
Zelenskyy had previously confirmed that the war in Iran could create difficulties in supplying ammunition for Ukraine’s air defenses.
The Financial Times reported on March 4 that the Pentagon and at least one Persian Gulf country are in talks to purchase Ukrainian interceptor drones to repel Iranian drone attacks as Patriot missile stocks are being depleted.
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