Ukrainian President Zelenskiy Discusses Iran and U.S. Support

President Volodymyr Zelenskiy of Ukraine conducted several interviews with international media on Monday, highlighting his country’s commitment to countering Iran’s regime and ensuring safety for Americans in danger.

His statements sharply contrast with the apparent disinterest shown by former President Donald Trump, who has encouraged allies to help secure commercial shipping routes in the Strait of Hormuz—a key pathway for oil from the Middle East to Asia. Iranian officials have repeatedly threatened vessels in this area, which has particularly upset China, Russia’s ally, especially following the U.S. military’s Operation Epic Fury aimed at addressing the Iranian threat.

On March 14, Trump voiced his desire for nations like China, France, and Japan to increase their presence in the Strait of Hormuz to prevent it from becoming a danger to national interests. However, despite responses from countries like Australia and Italy, there seems to be reluctance to confront Iranian aggression.

In his interviews, Zelenskiy noted his experience with Iran’s Shahed “suicide” drones, which have been aiding Russia’s ongoing military actions in Ukraine. He expressed that as a result, Ukraine could significantly contribute to U.S. efforts against Iran, a country with which Ukraine often interacts.

He mentioned that Ukraine was quick to act when the U.S. initiated a military operation targeting Iran. “We would not hesitate to send a team if we could help protect civilians and Americans,” Zelenskiy stated, emphasizing Ukraine’s intention to leverage its knowledge of drone technology to assist the U.S. He noted that Ukraine had even dispatched experts to the Middle East to bolster U.S. initiatives.

In separate communications, Zelenskiy expressed a desire to repay the support the U.S. has extended to Ukraine during its conflict with Russia. “I don’t want the United States to see Ukraine merely as a nation that needs assistance. We are defending our own interests and values,” he shared. He acknowledged the geographic distance from the U.S. to the conflict but stressed the importance of solidarity in facing shared threats.

Zelenskiy warned of the need for immediate action, stressing that merely acquiring advanced weaponry or extracting resources will not assure safety. “Security comes from cutting-edge technology and ongoing development,” he noted, urging for collaboration among allies to avert war.

Moreover, he claimed that Ukrainian military personnel possess superior understanding of Iranian drone capabilities, suggesting that Ukraine could potentially establish a major drone-manufacturing facility, with the U.S. supplying funding and production support while Ukraine contributes technological expertise.

He underlined, “This could be utilized to protect American troops stationed at bases.” Zelenskiy reiterated Ukraine’s status as a reliable ally of the United States, echoing a shared desire for peace.

In discussions with Israeli media, Zelenskiy reiterated Iran’s pivotal role in supporting Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and emphasized Ukraine’s readiness to contribute in the fight against Iranian aggression. He mentioned that drones from Iran routinely target Ukrainian civilians, implying they are using Ukraine as a testing ground for their weaponry.

“In the end, Ukraine has essentially become a testing site for drones,” he remarked, implying that the technology had evolved significantly due to combat experiences.

Zelenskiy indicated that Ukraine stands ready to assist in the campaign against Iran, although he acknowledged that the extent of involvement relies on each country’s decision regarding engagement.

Contrastingly, former President Trump has shown little urgency regarding Ukrainian involvement in any Iran-related conflict, expressing that the U.S. doesn’t require Ukraine’s assistance, as the country already possesses extensive drone expertise.