President Zelenskiy says Ukraine's top negotiator, military officials heading to Middle East

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said top negotiator Rustem Umerov and military officials are heading to the Gulf region to help strengthen defenses against Iranian drones. The mission aims to protect lives and support efforts to stabilize the security situation in the Middle East.

Ron Popeski and Oleksandr Kozhukhar/Reuters

March 11, 2026

President Zelenskiy says Ukraine's top negotiator, military officials heading to Middle East

Secretary of the National Security and Defence Council of Ukraine Rustem Umerov speaks to members of the media after a meeting on the second day of the third round of trilateral talks between Ukraine, Russia and the U.S., amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Geneva, Switzerland, February 18, 2026. Picture taken with a mobile phone.

Cecile Mantovani/Reuters

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said on Tuesday that the country's top negotiator, Rustem Umerov, was on his way to the Middle East with military officials to help with defence against Iranian drones.

"Right now, our team -- both military personnel and Rustem Umerov -- is on the way to the Gulf region, where our guys can help protect lives and stabilise the situation," Zelenskiy said in his nightly video address.

"No one in the world can yet say how long all this will last, but it is important that the protection of life actually begins to work effectively as soon as possible. We need stability too."

-Ron Popeski and Oleksandr Kozhukhar/Reuters