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President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky said that Ukraine is willing to provide Middle Eastern countries with interceptors for Shahed drones in exchange for PAC-3 missiles for their Patriot air defense systems. However, such cooperation would depend on operational teams and specific agreements.
Zelensky explained that while Ukraine has PAC-3 missiles, they are insufficient to defend against the hundreds of incoming Shahed drones, highlighting a critical shortage of Patriot-compatible missiles. He described the arrangement as an “equivalent exchange”: if Ukraine receives the missiles it needs, it will provide the interceptors.
He added that Ukraine maintains ongoing contacts with Middle Eastern countries, which are interested in Ukrainian expertise in countering missile and drone attacks. While Ukraine is ready to share knowledge and conduct training, it cannot transfer weapons without receiving necessary resources in return.
“If the Middle Eastern leaders can negotiate with Putin and reach a ceasefire agreement, then the teams currently defending our skies could go to help or train others against Iranian attacks. But while missiles are flying at us, with all due respect, we will stay here and defend our country,” Zelensky said.
Earlier, Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov noted that Ukraine critically lacks PAC-3 missiles, which are needed to intercept enemy ballistic missiles, and stressed that domestic production is possible but requires official approval.
