Ukraine-Russia war latest: Zelensky asks US to postpone upcoming peace talks due to Iran conflictnewsline24

The USand its allies in the Middle East are seeking Ukraine’s expertise in countering Iran’s Shahed drones, according to Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky.

Various countries, including the US, have approached Ukraine for help in defending against the Iranian drones, Zelensky said late on Wednesday.

He said he has spoken in recent days with the leaders of the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Bahrain, Jordan and Kuwait about possible cooperation.

Russia has fired tens of thousands of Shaheds at Ukraine since it invaded its neighbor just over four years ago, launching a swarm of more than 800 drones and decoys in its biggest nighttime barrage. Iran has responded to joint US-Israeli strikes by launching the same type of drones at countries in the Middle East.

Ukrainian assistance in countering Iranian drones will be provided only if it does not weaken Ukraine’s own defenses, and if it adds leverage to Kyiv’s diplomatic efforts to stop the Russian invasion, according to the Ukrainian leader.

“We help to defend from war those who help us, Ukraine, bring a just end to the war” with Russia, Zelensky said.

Later Thursday, Zelensky said he had received a US request for support to defend against the drones in the Middle East and had given the order for equipment to be provided along with Ukrainian experts without providing further details.

“Ukraine helps partners who help our security and the protection of our people’s lives,” he added in a social media post.

Trump, in an interview on Thursday with Reuters, said, “Certainly I’ll take, you know, any assistance from any country.”

President Volodymyr Zelensky announced that 200 Ukrainian families would welcome back loved ones.

“This is always good news for all of us, for the entire country: the return of our people to their homeland.

“Among those returning are defenders of Mariupol, and of the Donetsk, Luhansk, Kharkiv, and Zaporizhzhia regions. Warriors of the Armed Forces, the State Special Transport Service, border guards, and National Guard personnel. Every time our people come home, it proves that Ukraine is working to bring everyone back.

“No one is forgotten. We involve mediators. I am grateful to everyone who helps Ukraine. I thank the United States for its support in making this exchange possible.

“I am grateful to all our warriors who are replenishing Ukraine’s exchange fund on the front lines. The return of our people home is the result of the strength of Ukrainian defenders.”

The United States joined Russia, China, and Niger on Thursday in ⁠opposing a resolution adopted by the UN nuclear watchdog’s board denouncing attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure as a threat to nuclear safety, diplomats said.

The resolution, passed by the International Atomic Energy Agency’s 35-nation Board of Governors, is the seventh on Ukraine since Russia invaded its neighbour four years ago.

This is the first time the United States has opposed one.

“While we continue supporting the IAEA’s work in-country, we do not support the Board’s current consideration of an unnecessary resolution that does not help achieve peace between Ukraine and Russia,” the United States said in its statement to the board before the vote.

US president Donald Trump has in the past year pressured Ukraine for a quick peace deal that could involve ceding land to Russia. Ukraine has ruled out giving up territory.

The IAEA board passed the resolution with 20 votes in favour, including France, Britain, Australia, Canada, South Africa and Argentina, 10 abstentions and the four votes against, diplomats at the closed-door meeting said. Brazil, Egypt, Morocco and Saudi Arabia were among the abstentions.