Ukraine Gains Arab Support as Iran Tensions Rise

Gulf Arab states, previously maintaining ties with Russia while abstaining from UN resolutions condemning its war on Ukraine, are now seeking assistance from Kyiv after facing drone attacks from the same Iranian-made weapons used in Ukraine. Ukrainian military teams have been dispatched to Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, and Saudi Arabia to share expertise in countering these drones.

Ukraine Offers Drone Defense Expertise to Gulf States

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced on March 11 that Ukrainian military teams were heading to Qatar, the UAE, and Saudi Arabia, bringing with them years of experience combating the drones now targeting Gulf cities. “We have the greatest experience in the world in countering attack drones,” Zelensky said, adding that countering the threat would be “very difficult” for the Gulf region without their assistance.

Initially, Gulf states maintained a distance from the conflict in Ukraine. The UAE, a then-non-permanent member of the UN Security Council, abstained on a resolution condemning Russia’s invasion in February 2022. Saudi Arabia, along with other Gulf nations, also bolstered cooperation with Russia on oil production through OPEC+.

Despite this, Gulf states have provided aid to Ukraine. In February 2023, Saudi Arabia signed $400 million in aid deals with Ukraine. Qatar has reunited over 100 Ukrainian and Russian children with their families, and the UAE has delivered humanitarian aid and established a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement with Kyiv.

Shift in Focus After Attacks on Gulf States

The dynamic shifted in late February 2026 when Iranian drones, the same Shahed drones used by Russia in Ukraine, began targeting Gulf states in response to strikes on Iranian military installations. Within eleven days, forces in the region fired more than 1,000 interceptors – exceeding the total Ukraine received in four years of war.

Ukraine offers a cost-effective solution: domestically produced interceptor drones costing between $1,000 and $2,500 each, compared to the $4 million price tag of Patriot interceptors. By March 5, the US had formally requested Ukraine’s help, followed by requests from eleven other countries, including Gulf states and European partners.

Israel, initially hesitant to provide lethal aid to Ukraine due to concerns about Russian retaliation in Syria, has begun to shift its stance following the fall of Bashar al-Assad in December 2024. Israel has quietly transferred Patriot air defence systems to Ukraine and engaged in a strategic dialogue with Kyiv regarding Iran.

Ukraine’s Objectives in the Gulf

Ukraine is pursuing multiple objectives in its outreach to Gulf states. These include securing access to Patriot missiles through a potential exchange for interceptor drones, attracting investment for its drone industry, and reinforcing the narrative that Iran’s actions represent a broader threat to global security. Zelensky views the conflict in Iran as an extension of Russia’s aggression against Ukraine, noting that Iran has been a long-standing ally of Russia, even providing operators to launch drones at Ukraine. He recently met with Reza Pahlavi, the exiled Crown Prince of Iran, to discuss a future “free Iran” that would not cooperate with Russia.

This effort also comes amid concerns about the reliability of US support following the election of Donald Trump and his administration’s reversal of policies toward Ukraine, including blocking military aid and removing NATO membership from consideration. Hungary’s recent veto of EU aid to Ukraine further underscores the need for alternative partnerships.

While Gulf states are unlikely to fully sever ties with Russia due to its importance in energy and global politics, Ukraine aims to create dependencies through arms sales and investment, fostering a relationship that extends beyond the current crisis. The question remains whether this courtship can endure once the immediate threat from Iran subsides.