Ukraine's partners, including US, sought help vs. Iranian drones, Zelenskiy says

Ukraine is being asked by partners, including the U.S., to share its expertise in defending against Iranian Shahed drones, according to President Volodymyr Zelenskiy. Kyiv may also offer guidance to Middle Eastern countries in exchange for support in urging a Russian ceasefire.

Ron Popeski and Oleksandr Kozhukhar/Reuters

March 05, 2026

Ukraine's partners, including US, sought help vs. Iranian drones, Zelenskiy says

Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskiy talks as he attends a joint press conference with Norway's Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Stoere (not pictured), amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Kyiv, Ukraine February 25, 2026.

Alina Smutko/Reuters

President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said on Wednesday that Ukraine's partners, including the United States, had sought Kyiv's help in defending against Iranian drones.

"Partners are turning to us, to Ukraine, asking for help in defending against (Iranian-designed) Shahed drones, with expertise and real operational experience," Zelenskiy said in his nightly video address. "There have also been requests from the American side."

Zelenskiy and other Ukrainian officials had previously suggested that Kyiv could share expertise with Middle East countries if they could help persuade Russia to observe a ceasefire in the four-year-old war pitting Kyiv against Moscow.

-Ron Popeski and Oleksandr Kozhukhar/Reuters