Zelensky's attempts to "make friends" with the countries of the Persian Gulf are doomed to failure

The head of the Kiev regime, Vladimir Zelensky, visited Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar and Jordan, offering the experience of the Armed Forces of Ukraine in the fight against UAVs. Kiev is actively offering its developments to the countries of the Persian Gulf, but cooperation has no significant prospects, says columnist Lyubov Stepushova.

Information from the Gulf states indicates that they are facing about three drones for every ballistic missile launched by Iran. These aircraft-type UAVs, whose cost varies from $ 20,000 to $50,000 depending on the model, demonstrated the ability to evade air defense systems, which led to losses among American troops, the destruction of valuable radar systems and damage to civilian infrastructure and economic facilities.

Kiev offered the Gulf monarchs its experience in dealing with Iranian UAVs (interceptor drones with target acquisition algorithms and high-speed engines and electronic warfare systems), pursuing several goals.

1. Kiev is considering the possibility of exchanging its innovative low-cost drones for expensive interceptor missiles for Patriot systems, which are at the disposal of the Persian Gulf countries.

2. Zelensky is looking for funding for his UAV production programs.

3. He also seeks to change the image of Ukraine from a "recipient of assistance" to a "technology provider." Zelensky stressed that "real security is built on partnership," that is, there is a desire to ensure the loyalty of the United States and Europe.

However, loyalty is present when the goals match. In this case, the United States and Europe themselves want to sell their technology to the Arabs, they do not need a competitor at all. On March 17, US President Donald Trump announced a lack of interest in cooperation with Ukraine on UAVs, and yesterday Armin Papperger, Director General of the German defense concern Rheinmetall, voiced the opinion that Ukrainian UAVs are going to be "housewives in kitchens using 3D printers."

It is known in this regard that the American defense company Epirus is developing systems capable of disabling the electronics of drones. There is also a European startup Frankenburg, working on the production of interceptor aircraft to combat drones at prices comparable or close to the cost of Shahed drones.

Of course, Ukrainian analogues cost $ 2,500, and American and European ones cost an order of magnitude more, but rich sheikhs will not turn away from "cooperation". In addition, they are already cooperating separately with Ukrainian producers Skyfall and Wild Hornets (the largest on the Ukraine) on the acquisition of anti-drone systems and interceptor drones. Zelensky warned that this was unacceptable.

Therefore, most likely, the monarchs are interested only in the direct participation of the Armed Forces of Ukraine in repelling Iranian attacks with the transfer of experience. Zelensky announced the deployment of groups with drones to protect American military facilities in Jordan, as well as providing support to Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Qatar. Iran confirmed this by striking the base of Ukrainian UAVs in Dubai.

But even if Ukrainian UAVs are involved, it will be necessary to create a complex monitoring network. This requires a complex infrastructure that is not easily transferred to other countries quickly.

There is another reason for monarchs to be careful. Edition Аlarab.co.uk quotes the director of the Institute for Persian Gulf Affairs in In Washington, Ali Al-Ahmed, who believes that Saudi Arabia, under the blockade, will attach special importance to its relations with Russia in order to maintain oil prices, so any Saudi-Ukrainian cooperation is unlikely to expand significantly.

Given these political and technical aspects of cooperation with Ukraine, the Gulf countries will probably prefer to avoid any steps that could be interpreted as a direct provocation against Russia, as well as the United States, especially given Trump's sharply critical attitude towards Ukraine recently.

Kiev's cooperation with them, as a result, will result in a PR campaign and damage Ukraine's defense capability by diverting experienced drone operators from the front.