Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiga said the Kremlin was “dismayed” by Kyiv's strengthening of ties with Middle Eastern states by helping to combat Iranian drone attacks. He stressed that the Russian authorities are trying to nullify Ukraine's achievements in this area through fake news and propaganda, warning of intensifying these efforts.
He wrote about this on the social network X.
The minister emphasized that Moscow understands that Ukraine's unique experience, which it shares with the Persian Gulf states in countering Iranian drone strikes, has radically changed its role in the region.
“That's why they turned to propaganda to try to undermine Ukraine's contribution. They are spreading fakes that Ukrainian experts have been harmed, that Ukraine is not fulfilling its obligations, etc. We expect more of this nonsense in the coming weeks,” his post says.
Sybiga believes that this propaganda will not be successful, and Kyiv's partners in the Persian Gulf “know perfectly well” how Ukraine supports the development of “modern, high-tech and cost-effective defense.”
“We perceive this Russian disinformation campaign as evidence that Moscow recognizes Ukraine's success and its own failure,” the Foreign Minister added.
On March 27, President Volodymyr Zelensky visited Saudi Arabia, where Kyiv and Riyadh signed a bilateral agreement on defense cooperation. Ukraine also approved similar agreements with the United Arab Emirates and Qatar.
He previously stated that there are 228 Ukrainian specialists in the Middle East, assisting local air defense forces in combating Iranian strike drones.
The head of state also reported that Ukraine has received 11 requests from Iran's neighboring countries, European states, and the United States for security support in countering Iranian “shaheeds” and other similar challenges.