Ukraine joins the history of the war with Iran: Zelensky instructed to explore support options

Ukraine can join the stabilization of the situation in the Middle East and the Persian Gulf region — in such a way that it does not weaken its own defense. This was stated by President Volodymyr Zelensky on March 4, 2026, following a meeting dedicated to the risks for Ukraine, partners, and the global market.

Kyiv's key focus is the protection of civilian lives, limiting the expansion of war, and restoring shipping security, especially against the backdrop of the actual halt of movement through the Strait of Hormuz.

And yes, something that recently seemed impossible was mentioned: Ukrainian experts can work "on site," and teams are already discussing coordination and redeployment — provided that it does not "strip" Ukraine at home.

What exactly Zelensky stated on March 4 and who was tasked with preparing the solutions

"Partners are reaching out": Kyiv received requests for assistance

Zelensky directly linked his directive to the requests of partners.

"Partners are reaching out on this matter," said the president, clarifying that it is about assistance for "relevant states" in the Gulf region.

Further — a fundamental reservation, which is repeated in Kyiv as insurance against any interpretations: assistance is possible only "in such a way that it does not weaken our own defense here in Ukraine."

That is, the logic is as follows: external support — yes, but not at the cost of gaps in Ukrainian air defense, the front, intelligence, or reserves.

Specific directive: Ministry of Foreign Affairs, intelligence, Ministry of Defense, command, and NSDC

The president listed the participants in the preparation of the decision package almost by name, and this is important: he did not leave the topic in the realm of diplomatic generalities.

"Instructed the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, together with intelligence, the Minister of Defense, our military command, and the Secretary of the NSDC to present support options," Zelensky said.

In fact, this means an interdepartmental "assembly" — from diplomacy and intelligence data to military planning and risk assessment. This format is usually used when it comes to not a one-time humanitarian supply, but sets of tools that can include consultations, training, technical support, and joint planning of security measures.

"Our military has the capabilities": reliance on Ukrainian experience in drone and missile warfare

The most sensitive part of the statement is about Ukraine's real capabilities.

Zelensky said:

"Our military has the necessary capabilities. Ukrainian experts will work on site, and teams are already negotiating this."

And he added what shows the political goal of this story:

"We are ready to help protect life, protect civilians, and support real efforts to stabilize the situation and restore, in particular, safe shipping in the region."

The key word here is "shipping." Not abstract "stabilization," but a specific nerve of the global economy.

Why the statement separately mentions the Strait of Hormuz, oil, and "Shaheds"

"Practically stopped": Hormuz as a trigger for the global market

In his official message, Zelensky described the Strait of Hormuz extremely harshly: "Shipping through the Strait of Hormuz is practically stopped."

This is not a random detail. Hormuz is a bottleneck where any escalation instantly turns into a spike in oil, gas, and transportation prices, and then into inflation and political nervousness in dozens of countries.

Zelensky directly linked the threat to shipping with prices:

"This destabilizes prices for oil, oil products, and gas worldwide."

For Ukraine, this is also painful: the rise in global prices means new revenues for aggressors from raw materials and increased pressure on the budgets of allies who help Kyiv.

800 missiles and 1400 drones: the scale Kyiv wants to fix

The president provided figures that look like an attempt to "nail" the agenda of allies:

"Over 800 missiles of various types and more than 1400 strike drones have already been used by Iran in a few days."

Even if the audience is far from the front, such numbers are easily read: this is not a local exchange of strikes, but a massive use of means of destruction that changes the situation at sea, in the air, and on markets.

"The same Shaheds": why Ukraine speaks to the Gulf in the language of its own war

Zelensky specifically drew a parallel between what Ukraine is experiencing and what is now being heard in the countries of the region:

"Iranian strike drones are the same 'Shaheds' that attack our cities and villages... throughout the years of this war."

This is an important framework. Kyiv is not just sympathetic — Kyiv says: we have already gone through this, we know what a massive drone campaign looks like, and what solutions work in reality, not in a presentation.

In the middle of this whole story, there is also an Israeli nerve: NAnews — Israel News | Nikk.Agency notes that the topic of "Shaheds" has long ceased to be exclusively Ukrainian — it has become part of the regional security of the Middle East and the agenda of civilian protection, including the protection of critical infrastructure and maritime routes.

What forms of support can be discussed and where is the main risk for Ukraine

Not "entering the war," but exporting competencies and missions on the ground

Zelensky's formulations are structured to exclude the interpretation "Ukraine opens a new front."

He talks about "support options," "protection of life," and "stabilization," as well as that "Ukrainian experts will work on site." This is more like the format of missions, consultations, joint staff groups, exchange of experience in countering strike drones and missiles, than participation in hostilities.

Separately, the president emphasized that coordination is already being discussed: "teams are already negotiating this." That is, it is not about a distant "someday," but about practical preparation.

Diplomatic route: Europe, USA, and Iran's neighboring countries

Zelensky described that Ukraine is conducting consultations on two lines at once: with Western partners and with countries in the region.

"Ukraine is conducting consultations with both partners in Europe and the United States, as well as with countries neighboring Iran," he said.

Then specifics about contacts were mentioned:

"Yesterday I spoke with the leaders of the UAE and Qatar. Today there were already talks with the leaders of Jordan and Bahrain. There will still be talks with Kuwait and other countries in the region."

This geography shows: Kyiv is trying to integrate into a broad coalition, not play alone.

The main limiter: "not to weaken our defense in Ukraine"

The strongest insurance in the statement is the repeatability of the condition.

Zelensky did not just mention it in passing, he made it a criterion: assistance must be organized so "that it does not weaken our own defense here in Ukraine."

This means that within the Ukrainian government, they will consider not only the political effect and the request of partners but also the cost: personnel, equipment, commanders' time, air defense sustainability, logistics load, risks of sensitive experience and data leakage.

And that is why the president separately added "Our military has the necessary capabilities" — he is preemptively answering the skeptics' question: "and is everything covered for you?" The answer is: we cover our own, and only then do we help others.

Expectations from Europe and G7: "elimination of terrorist capabilities"

At the end of the statement, Zelensky outlined what Kyiv expects from allies in Europe and the G7:

"We expect that the European Union, European states, and the 'Group of Seven' will be active in eliminating the terrorist capabilities of the Iranian regime and in protecting life in the region and global stability."

This is not just a diplomatic phrase. This is a signal: Ukraine will not be the only country "closing the gap" with experience and resources. Kyiv expects a systemic response — both in terms of security and economics, and in terms of containing technologies that then fly to Ukraine and other regions.

In the end: Zelensky essentially offers the world Ukrainian expertise in drone and missile warfare as a stabilization tool but sets a strict barrier — not at the expense of Ukrainian defense. Now the question is: what exactly "support options" will the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, intelligence, and military command propose, and how quickly will this turn into practice, rather than remain at the level of statements.

How this can help Israel and the USA — and why it is also a moral signal

Zelensky's statement about readiness to help the countries of the Persian Gulf in the conditions of war with Iran can play into the hands of both Israel and the USA — not directly "on the front," but through the overall resilience of the region.

Firstly, it is practical benefit: Ukrainian experience in countering massive drone and missile attacks can strengthen the defense of US partners in the Gulf, thereby reducing Iran's ability to expand the war and pressure allies through chaos in the air and at sea.

Secondly, it is a relief of the burden for Washington: if part of the tasks of consultations, response organization, and work "on site" are taken over by Ukrainian specialists, it is easier for the USA to distribute resources between theaters — without losing focus on supporting Israel and containing Iran.

And finally, it is moral support: a country that itself lives under strikes publicly says it is ready to help protect civilians and stabilize the region. For Israel and the American coalition, this is an important political signal — Ukraine is not only asking for help, it is trying to be part of the solution to a common threat.

https://nikk.agency/en/ukraine-joins-the-history-of/