On the 1470th day of Russian aggression, President Volodymyr Zelensky presented an offer to the Persian Gulf states, proposing Ukrainian drone countermeasure technologies in exchange for anti-aircraft ammunition. This initiative comes at a time when Russian advances on the front have stalled, while tensions are rising around Ukraine's accession to the European Union, which some European capitals are trying to delay by questioning the fast-track procedure.

Offer for Gulf States

Ukraine proposes exchanging anti-drone technology for anti-aircraft missiles, targeting countries threatened by Iranian weaponry.

Resistance Within the European Union

Many European capitals oppose the accelerated accession procedure for Ukraine, casting doubt on Kyiv's declared technical readiness.

Attacks on Logistics

Russia is concentrating strikes on railway and energy infrastructure, trying to paralyze supplies to the front and cut off power in regions.

Ukrainian diplomacy is shifting its focus to Arab countries, recognizing a shared threat from Tehran's military technology. President Zelensky declared readiness to share unique experience in destroying Shahed-type unmanned aerial vehicles, on the condition of receiving missile supplies for air defense systems. Kyiv argues that Russia and Iran constitute „the same evil”, and Ukraine's success in neutralizing 70 percent of incoming machines using interceptor drones could become an asset for Middle Eastern security. Since the beginning of the full-scale invasion in 2022, Ukraine has become the world's largest testing ground for unmanned systems, which has rapidly developed its military-technological sector. In the rear, the situation is becoming critical in terms of energy and logistics. The Slovak transmission system operator terminated a contract for emergency power supplies, which, combined with Russian attacks on infrastructure in four regions, threatens widespread blackouts. Although the pace of Russian land advances has slowed, the aggressor has intensified strikes on railway hubs, aiming to cut off supplies to fighting units. In response, the Armed Forces of Ukraine conducted a drone attack on a Russian city with a population of over one million, demonstrating the capability for asymmetric retaliation deep in enemy territory. Simultaneously, resistance is growing in Brussels to Ukraine's rapid admission to the Community; ambassadors from some EU states are set to block the proposal for „light membership”. „Russia and Iran are the same evil, and we know how to fight this evil effectively on the battlefield.” — Volodymyr Zelensky In relations with the USA, Kyiv is trying to reach Donald Trump, pointing out that aiding Ukraine is a blow to Iranian influence, which aligns with the traditional Republican line towards Tehran. Domestically, Zelensky quashed speculation about his resignation, announcing a fight for re-election if elections are held after the end of martial law. He also emphasized that he will not cede Donbas, as any concession would encourage Putin to further expand westward on the continent. 70% — of Russian drones are currently neutralized by Ukrainian interceptor units

Mentioned People

  • Wołodymyr Zełenski — President of Ukraine, declared a fight for re-election and rejected Russian territorial demands.
  • Oleksandr Syrski — Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, reported a change in tactics by Russian forces.
  • Ursula von der Leyen — President of the European Commission, held talks with Zelensky on sanctions and loans.