Ukraine Offers Anti-Drone Expertise to U.S. in Iran Conflict

Kyiv seeks to leverage U.S.-Iran tensions to bolster ties with Trump administration

Published on Mar. 11, 2026

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Ukraine is seeking to leverage the ongoing U.S.-Israeli conflict with Iran to bolster its ties with the Trump administration and showcase its military innovations, as the Russia-Ukraine peace talks have been placed on the back burner. The latest Middle East conflict is offering Kyiv a chance to utilize its technology expertise, offering the U.S. and its Gulf allies experts to help shoot down incoming Iranian drones - the same kamikaze devices that Russia has increasingly relied on in its assault on Ukraine.

Why it matters

Ukraine is looking to demonstrate the value of its defense partnership with Washington and showcase its advanced anti-drone technology in hopes of striking deals with nations in the region. This could provide much-needed financing for Ukraine's war efforts, but experts are skeptical it will fundamentally change President Trump's approach to the Russia-Ukraine peace talks.

The details

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has confirmed that Ukrainian military experts and a top defense official are on their way to the Gulf region to assist U.S. allies in shooting down Iranian drones, which have been connected to the deaths of U.S. service members and sapped expensive U.S. and Gulf air defenses. Ukraine has developed low-cost interceptor drones and other air defenses to combat the incoming Shahed drones that Russia has used to pound Ukrainian cities and military sites.

  • Last Thursday, the U.S. government formally asked Ukraine for counter-drone help.
  • On Tuesday, Zelensky confirmed Ukrainian experts are heading to the Gulf region.

The players

Volodymyr Zelensky

The President of Ukraine who is seeking to leverage Ukraine's anti-drone expertise to bolster ties with the Trump administration.

Rustem Umerov

A top Ukrainian defense official who is heading to the Gulf region to assist U.S. allies in shooting down Iranian drones.

Eric Ciaramella

A senior fellow in the Russia and Eurasia program at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace.

John Hardie

The deputy director of the Russia Program at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies (FDD).

Branislav Slantchev

A political science professor at the University of California San Diego who studies war negotiation.

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What they’re saying

“Ukraine needs all the financing it can get at this moment, and then Ukraine can send some Shahed interceptors. That seems like a pretty good deal for everyone. So it's not only about the United States. It really is to show like this capability is relevant, and other countries should be thinking about turning to Ukraine for solutions in the future.”

— Eric Ciaramella, Senior Fellow, Russia and Eurasia Program, Carnegie Endowment for International Peace (The Hill)

“Maybe Ukraine's ability to contribute to counter Shahed defense in the Gulf will resonate with Trump. Kind of show them that Ukraine does indeed have more 'cards' for leverage with Russia. But it doesn't seem to me like [Trump's] approach will fundamentally change.”

— John Hardie, Deputy Director, Russia Program, Foundation for Defense of Democracies (The Hill)

“Bottom line is, you cannot get into the good graces of anybody here in the sense that everybody's pretty much set in what they want to achieve and how, and it's very difficult to move people away from this. And so I think bottom line is Trump is operating under whatever constraints the Congress of the Europeans put on him.”

— Branislav Slantchev, Political Science Professor, University of California San Diego (The Hill)

What’s next

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The takeaway

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