My initial reaction is how does he have anything extra to give. Reading the article it was a calculated trade.
> In exchange, Ukraine is receiving weapons to protect its energy infrastructure, along with oil, diesel and, in some cases, financial arrangements, he said.
362
Darth_drizzt_422 days ago
+116
The gulf states have, for all intents and purposes, infinite money. Ukraine can only take IOU's so far. Hard cash buys a LOT of needed hardware
116
Drone3142 days ago
+246
100% transactional, the Gulf States hired the best drone hunters in the world.
246
JulietteKatze2 days ago
+44
They finally used the money for something useful instead of attempting to build a shitty 3D render of a building some scammer presented to an idiot emir or prince.
44
badpersian2 days ago
-19
I mean without trying to diminish their efforts, but they still have a lot to do in improving their ability to take down those in their own country. It's not like they can afford to spend the time and resource/intelligence share/ improve techs for other nations.
-19
fimnjc2 days ago
+13
How much will the gulf states pay for Ukraine to boost their defenses? Being that russia and the ircg are aligned it seems like a win-win scenario for all involved.
13
arielsosa2 days ago
+12
Wrong. The things they have learnt during their war against Russia can benefit everyone else. No other nation has the level of hands-on experience, both technical and tactical, as Ukraine does. Even USA and NATO commanders have said as much.
Their Inability to prevent/intercept more Russian drones has less to eo with efficacy and more to so with quantity. They can't have a high/unlimited number of anti-air/drone defences everywhere, and they can't know where Russia is going to hit next, given that Russia has no qualms in attacking any kind if civilian infrastructure even if it has little strategic value.
12
cruisin_urchin872 days ago
+58
I would hire the Ukrainian government to defend against Shahed drones before anyone else.
58
whatproblems2 days ago
+60
trump ranting about nato while ukraine is actively doing stuff in ME
60
the-es2 days ago
+37
Look buddy, trump's boss gave him talking points and he needs to stick to them.
Ukraine? Bad
NATO? Bad
Removing sanctions on russian oil? Good
37
kaisadilla_1 day ago
+6
Trump rants because Zelenskiy is everything Trump and Kegsbreath LARP to be.
6
bappestinian2 days ago
+90
He turned a bad situation into an opportunity, he’s pretty good.
90
johnis122 days ago
+49
As an American... Man... I'm so jealous that Ukraine has such a powerful and thoughtful leader... :T
49
Pale-Acanthaceae-7362 days ago
+14
After what he's experienced as president I sincerely doubt he would want to do comedy ever again.
14
TazBaz2 days ago
+11
Oh I bet he will. Great way to process all the bullshit.
11
Pale-Acanthaceae-7362 days ago
+5
That would be great if he did.
5
Tyranicross1 day ago
+3
He'd have some pretty good material to work with though
3
RainyDayColor2 days ago
+157
This guy is a brilliant strategist, building all the right bridges for the long haul.
157
National_Spirit28012 days ago
+166
As an American, Ukraine is supremely fortunate to have a strong leader rather than an incompetent orange a******.
166
Linc_Sylvester2 days ago
+28
Dump would 200% take a ride out and not ask for ammo.
28
kaisadilla_1 day ago
+4
tbh that's only because, when they had a Russian-controlled a****** as a leader, they went to the streets until that a****** fled the country.
4
bikesnotbombs2 days ago
-5
Idk .. if you aren't wearing a tie or suit can you even lead? How will people even know how to follow?
-5
Extension-Toe-70272 days ago
+9
I concur
9
[deleted]2 days ago
[deleted]
0
clauderbaugh2 days ago
+63
This guy is going to end up with a statue at some point.
63
bard91R2 days ago
+43
I'm sure there will be controversial things in his legacy, and that his decisions have not been perfect, but the way this man held his country together against a reckless onslaught from Russia and leading it to a stalemate is an outstanding achievement.
I don't care what anybody says, Zelensky is one of the greatest heroes of our times to my eyes.
43
BagNo29882 days ago
+11
Literally making history. Wonder if the generations to come would see him like how we see Churchill or McArthur
11
Coyote652 days ago
+15
Hopefully not as problematic in the aggregate of his life.
Churchill and McArthur carry some baggage.
15
scarecrow25962 days ago
+9
I mean, so does Zelenskyy. Before the war started most Ukrainians disliked him and he was part of many corruption scandals.
9
Tyranicross1 day ago
+1
Corruption is nothing to a war hero, Ulysses S Grant had one of the most corrupt administration's of all time but the most criticized part of his legacy is his drinking. Doesn't compare to "i stubbed my toe drop a nuke" McArthur and "im such an imperialist even my own citizens voted me out right after the war I won" Churchill.
1
rrRunkgullet2 days ago
+8
That's the least "we" can do as a thanks. Statue and a large monthly state pension. In reality I think the end of Zds career is going to be ugly, just an intuition I can't spell out in words.
8
Early-Sort88172 days ago
+2
I’m sure Trump and Vance will reward them
2
Positive_Chip61982 days ago
+3
He has all the cards, unlike the guy who is crying about nato not fixing his mess.
3
KeepCalmCarryOnKY2 days ago
+5
Ukrainians are badasses.
5
Rabbit-Hole-Quest2 days ago
-14
Depends, were they shooting down Shaheds for Israel, or where they doing it for the GCC countries.
If they were doing it for Israel, that is working for the guys who started this unnecessary war. Israel is also the place where many Russian oligarchs linked with Putin ran off to when the war with Ukraine started.
If they were doing it for GCC states, it’s a defensive so understandable and the same GCC states helped in getting many Ukrainian POWs and have helped with financial support.
-14
[deleted]2 days ago
-17
[removed]
-17
Hiyouuuu2 days ago
+39
You do know that Iran is a supporter of Russia, and that Iranian shahed drones have killed lots of people in Ukraine?
39
the-es2 days ago
+37
I think it's a bit different. Ukraine is providing defense capabilities in a conflict with a Iran. Considering Iran has been supplying offensive drones for russia to attack Ukrainian civilians for years, the action makes total sense. Additionally, this helps improve Ukraine's position given trumps desire to cut support for Ukraine.
37
Thespaceman0072 days ago
+21
What? You want Ukraine to bend over and support Iran, the direct ally of Russia who is actively invading them? Delusional.
21
wewladendmylife2 days ago
-21
No, but diverting resources away from Ukraine isnt the right call either.
-21
wanderforreason2 days ago
+13
It absolutely is if it’s getting you more resources for Ukraine. It’s called trading.
13
releasetheshutter2 days ago
-9
Love my tax dollars somehow funding this bullshit.
-9
Inside-Yak-88152 days ago
+5
You get what you vote for.
5
solitarium1 day ago
+1
It’s the same war in a different front. Iran has been selling Russia drones for a while now. The fewer they have to use against the US and Israel, the fewer they have to sell Russia. All this while Ukraine builds themselves as a valuable country to partner with?
All wins all around.
1
wewladendmylife1 day ago
I mean any shahed sent to Israel aren't being sold to Russia, which has been buying less and domestically producing more.
It does divert air defenses and spreads manpower out.
The intel sharing and hits on russian wagner forces in Africa made sense, you're hitting Russian economic resources and killing experienced soldiers. Shooting down shaheds for israel doesn't have any immediate benefit to the Ukranian war effort.
0
Kellar212 days ago
+1
Why not? If the return is going to be better for them?
1
moordor2 days ago
+6
it's funny right? zelensky also fully supports israeli occupation and genocide in palestine. but russian occupation is bad
6
slax032 days ago
-1
The conflicts going on right now is not one side versus another. It's a lot more complicated than that.
-1
RainyDayColor2 days ago
Which countries in which Ukraine has participated in defensive drone ops are "illegally attacking and invading other countries"?
Edit: The source AP article doesn’t reference the Middle East countries receiving Ukraine's defensive technical support to intercept invasive drone attacks. But other credible reporting does (see below). I’m unaware that any of the 5 nations receiving Ukraine’s support "are illegally attacking and invading other countries.”
[https://www.defensenews.com/global/mideast-africa/2026/03/20/ukraine-deploys-units-to-5-middle-east-countries-to-intercept-drones/](https://www.defensenews.com/global/mideast-africa/2026/03/20/ukraine-deploys-units-to-5-middle-east-countries-to-intercept-drones/)
*Ukraine deploys units to 5 Middle East countries to intercept drones*
*As of March 2026, Ukraine is actively providing drone defense support, expertise, and specialist teams to Saudi Arabia, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Kuwait, and Jordan. These nations are receiving assistance to counter Iranian-designed Shahed drones . . .*
[https://www.nytimes.com/2026/03/28/world/europe/ukraine-air-defense-deal-qatar-saudi-arabia.html](https://www.nytimes.com/2026/03/28/world/europe/ukraine-air-defense-deal-qatar-saudi-arabia.html)
*Ukraine Finalizes Air Defense Deals With Gulf Nations Amid War in Mideast*
0
Fridelis2 days ago
-25
I agree it does leave a weird taste in my mouth and makes me see Zelensky in a worse light. However, given the situation, it is hard for him and Ukraine, so it is hard to be critical.
He does what he has to do for his country, even if it feels hypocritical.
-25
TrueLegateDamar2 days ago
+19
Hundreds of Ukrainian citizens have been killed and more wounded by Iranian Shahed drones, and Ukraine has killed IRGC personnel who were stationed in Russia or occupied parts of Ukraine helping the Russians construct and guide Shahed drones.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iran_and_the_Russo-Ukrainian_war_(2022%E2%80%93present)
19
Fridelis2 days ago
-28
I don't need your comments, since I am 100% sure I know way more about the Ukraine war than you do. As I am from a Baltic country, that war has insane relevance to me. So you can go with that shit away. Ukraine is fighting against invaders/killers and fighting a just battle. Iran is in a relatively similar situation, and Ukraine is helping killers, too. It is not just white and black, my man.
And none of that changes the fact that Ukraine is being hypocritical here. I don't think what they are doing is right, but I will still support them by continuing to donate money.
-28
Serious_Try52642 days ago
+20
You obviously do, because what you said was f****** stupid and you should be ashamed.
Loser.
20
EBBBBBBBBBBBB2 days ago
-10
unbelievable that you see anything but complete 100% support of everything Ukraine does as supporting Russia, even when that commenter explicitly says they donate to Ukraine, which is more than the vast majority of people do. Ukraine is the victim in the war against Russia, but that doesn't make them saints who can do no wrong - and in this case, they're fighting with another imperialist aggressor's invasion and senseless slaughter
-10
Serious_Try52642 days ago
+11
Or maybe you are just concern trolling. (You are).
Ukraine should work with the enemies of their enemies in a defensive manner.
It's much less than what Iran did to them.
F****** dishonest loser.
11
EBBBBBBBBBBBB2 days ago
-7
All it does is show that the Ukrainian government is okay with imperialism when it's not happening to them, which is both immoral and stupid, because the US will toss Ukraine aside the second they no longer become useful for fighting their regional enemy. I empathize with the Ukrainian people, they've been led into a prolonged conflict they know they cannot win, and now more of them are being sent to help in the murder of children in another country.
-7
C-c-c-comboBreaker172 days ago
+4
How dare they help defend against the country that has been supplying bombs to kill their people! What an outrage...
4
Kellar212 days ago
+3
Iran is also supplying a lot of weapons that are killing Ukranians.
3
00-Monkey2 days ago
+1
Ukraine is providing anti drone tech to gulf states. Purely defensive tech for countries that have not bombed Iran, even when Iran bombs them.
But apparently you’re so hateful that you view defending civilians in a non aggressor country as bad.
1
Brotastic291 day ago
Iran is not fighting a “just battle” lmao
0
Fridelis1 day ago
+1
Right, I guess defending yourself is not just. So next time someone attacks you or even tries to kill you, just don't do anything and let them. Big brain time
1
Brotastic291 day ago
+1
I would consider Iran to be fighting a just battle if they weren’t so cartoonishly evil
Ukraine has their problems, but they are mostly internal. They never really harmed anyone outside their borders, and they are a democracy.
Iran on the other hand has been one of the worlds biggest sponsors of terrorism, they have been harming people both inside and outside their borders, and they’re a theocratic dictatorship.
I’m not saying Iran had it coming… but I’m not saying they *didn’t* have it coming either
1
RainyDayColor2 days ago
+2
Trying to follow the discussion but I feel like I've somehow lost the plot.
Serious question -- exactly *what* diminishes Zelensky in your eyes, and feels hypocritical to you? What is "it" that you're referencing?
2
Kellar212 days ago
-1
Why should he feel bad by going against some of the main suppliers of the weapons used against his people?
And he was only working on defense anyway.
Jeez, you wanted him to ignore that over some weird sense of morality that isn't even logic.
-1
1moreanonaccount2 days ago
-12
Simping for more more $$$. He has kiss the ring to be able to continue defending Ukraine
-12
fimnjc2 days ago
+3
What would you do keyboard warrior?
3
1moreanonaccount2 days ago
-2
Kiss the ring and get that money. That’s all you can do
-2
CamisaMalva1 day ago
+1
Thank God your sorry ass ain't in charge. lol
1
OGLikeablefellow2 days ago
-13
So Russia and Ukraine are helping Iran? War really does make strange bedfellows
-13
the-es2 days ago
+12
No, Ukraine is supplying defenses to shoot down Iranian drones.
12
OGLikeablefellow2 days ago
+6
Ah thanks
6
hrbeck119 hr ago
-3
Zelensky is a world-class scammer. Right after the Ukraine war started, a bunch of high-end yachts from Ukrainian owners started showing up in European ports.
-3
RwnE_42016 hr ago
-1
Ukraine has ultra rich people who moved their assets after their country was invaded, is that really shocking?
-1
hrbeck115 hr ago
+2
It’s also the second most corrupt country in the world. Wouldn’t be shocking if they sold off the aid we gave them, no?
Timing of buying ultra-expensive yachts immediately after getting foreign aid sounds suspect.
74 Comments