Ukraine ready to sell defense systems in surplus to partners – Zelensky

President Volodymyr Zelensky stated this in an interview with Le Monde, as reported by Ukrinform, citing Zelensky's Telegram.

"Now, we are discussing future deliveries of certain equipment that Ukraine has. We want Middle Eastern countries to give us the opportunity to strengthen ourselves as well. They have some air defense missiles that we lack. We would like to reach agreements on this. Funding is the scarcest resource today. Our defense industry is currently operating at half capacity, and we need more financing to produce drones for ourselves. That's why we are ready to sell to our partners the systems we have in surplus. And we're not just selling – we'll provide our expertise as well. Interceptor drones don't work without our expertise. It's the system that works," he said.

Zelensky recalled that the United States had approached Ukraine regarding the protection of their bases in Middle Eastern countries, as well as Saudi Arabia, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Jordan, and Kuwait.

"We're already working with some of them, and our expert teams are already on the ground, assessing the situation and sharing invaluable experience. Because no matter how many Patriots, THAADs, or other air defense systems are in the Middle East, that alone is not enough for fully effective air defense. There are modern interceptors designed to counter heavy drone strikes," he noted.

As Ukrinform reported, Zelensky stated that Ukraine is actively working with European partners to scale up joint weapons production projects, primarily drones, and is preparing new agreements.

Photo: Office of the President of Ukraine