INTERNATIONAL (NPA) — March 7, 2026 — Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has announced that his country is prepared to assist Saudi Arabia in intercepting Iranian “Shahed” drones launched against the Gulf kingdom. The pledge followed his conversation with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud.
According to Zelenskyy, the two leaders discussed the security situation in the Middle East and Gulf region, focusing on challenges posed by Iran and strategies to counter emerging threats.
The development comes amid escalating tensions, as Iran retaliated for recent U.S. and Israeli strikes — including the killing of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei — by firing missiles and drones at Gulf states, heavily impacting Saudi Arabia.
In a statement on Saturday, Zelenskyy highlighted Ukraine’s unique experience in combating Iranian drones: “Ukrainians have been fighting against ‘Shahed’ drones for years now, and no other country in the world has this kind of experience. We are ready to help, and we expect that our people will also receive the support they need. Protecting life must be a shared priority, and it is very important to coordinate for security both in Europe and in the Middle East.”
He added that discussions also covered expanding bilateral cooperation and joint projects, noting: “We will continue working on further development.”
