Zelenskyy: US has asked Ukraine for military expertise in two areas in Middle East

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said the United States has approached Ukraine with requests for expert support for its military in two areas in the Middle East, although he did not specify which ones.

Source: Zelenskyy on X (Twitter)

Details: Zelenskyy said Rustem Umierov, Secretary of the National Security and Defence Council, reported on the outcomes of meetings and negotiations in the Middle East and the Gulf region.

The president said Ukrainian teams are already working with five countries on countering Iranian Shahed drones. They are providing expert assessments and helping to build defence systems.

He added that additional requests have also come from other states.

"There are also requests from the US side regarding expert support for their military personnel in two areas of the region. We are also reviewing requests from European partners whose forces are based in the region," Zelenskyy said.

The president stressed that Ukraine is interested in the swift stabilisation of the situation around Iran, as it has global significance for oil and gas markets and affects prices, including in Europe and Ukraine.

He also underlined that Ukraine opposes any strengthening of the Iranian regime's influence, as it is an ally of Russia.

Separately, he said possibilities for international cooperation to restore security in the Strait of Hormuz had been discussed.

Quote from Zelenskyy: "I tasked Rustem Umierov with involving Ukraine's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and our military to assess existing international initiatives concerning the Strait of Hormuz and the real readiness of countries to participate in stabilisation missions.

I expect specific data from this assessment in the near future. Importantly, all our partners acknowledge Ukraine's global role in ensuring security and the high quality of Ukraine's security expertise for the protection of life."

Background:

• On 20 March, the US armed forces accelerated the deployment of thousands of Marines and amphibious ships to the Middle East to reinforce the group conducting operations against Iran.
• The deployment comes amid reports of a possible US ground operation to seize Iran's Kharg Island, which is critical to Tehran's oil industry.
• Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump has insisted he does not plan to deploy American troops in the Middle East and said he is not concerned about a potential "Vietnam scenario" if a ground military operation in Iran begins.

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