Ukraine has sent experts and drones to Jordan to protect US bases
Ukraine has sent a team of experts and interceptor drones to Jordan to protect American military bases from Iranian strike drones. This was announced by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in an interview with The New York Times published on Monday, 9 March.
According to the president, the United States made the request to Ukraine on 5 March. The Ukrainian team left for Jordan the very next day.
"We responded immediately. I said, 'Yes, of course, we will send our experts,'" Volodymyr Zelenskyy said.
The New York Times notes that the war between the United States and Israel against Iran could divert the world's attention from Ukraine. At the same time, it creates an opportunity for Ukraine to use its own experience in combating Iranian Shahed drones, which Russia is using against Ukrainian cities.
The publication writes that Ukraine has significant experience in countering such drones. According to journalists' estimates, in February, Ukrainian forces shot down about 87 per cent of nearly 5,000 Russian drones and false targets.
Volodymyr Zelensky also said that after the start of the war in Iran, the leaders of Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates, Jordan, Kuwait, Qatar and Saudi Arabia asked Ukraine for help.
The New York Times notes that Ukraine is ready to provide interceptor drones and experts. In return, Kyiv expects to strengthen its air defence systems to protect against Russian ballistic missiles.
The President of Ukraine also suggested the possibility of cooperation with countries in the region to exert diplomatic pressure on Russia.
"Some countries in the region have very strong relations with Russia. I said: maybe they will talk to the Russians, and the Russians will pause. In that case, we will, of course, help the Middle East defend itself," said Volodymyr Zelensky.
According to the President of Ukraine and European Commissioner for Defence and Space Andrius Kubilius, in the first days of the war in Iran, countries in the region used more than 800 Patriot missiles to intercept more than 2,000 Iranian drones and 500 ballistic missiles, while Ukraine spent 700 missiles over the winter.
