Since Moscow is benefiting from the conflict by supporting Tehran, while Kyiv is supplying weapons to Persian Gulf countries, the Middle East has become a new front in the war between Russia and Ukraine, Boot emphasizes.
He recalled that Russia and Iran have long maintained allied relations, so it is logical that Vladimir Putin is helping the Islamic Republic. According to available data, Moscow is providing Tehran with satellite imagery and drones.
Pointing to a series of large-scale Iranian attacks, the author stresses that it is difficult to imagine how Tehran, which does not have its own satellites, could carry out such precise strikes on many of these targets without assistance from Russia, and possibly China.
Boot also noted that Russia, for its part, has received military assistance from Iran, in particular Shahed drones, which are used daily and on a large scale by Russian forces to strike Ukraine. Russia has now established its own production of Shahed-type drones and, according to reports, drone supplies are now moving in the opposite direction — to Iran.
Meanwhile, U.S. President Donald Trump, instead of punishing Putin for helping Tehran, has eased anti-Russian sanctions. This decision, combined with a sharp rise in oil prices, could bring Moscow significant revenue that it could use to finance its war against Ukraine, Max Boot emphasizes.
As the United States is not restraining Russia in its aggression, Ukraine has had to take the initiative into its own hands, the author concludes, referring to Ukrainian drone strikes on Russia’s oil refining infrastructure.
Meanwhile, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has sent military experts to Persian Gulf countries to help defend against Iranian drones. In addition, the Ukrainian leader traveled to the Middle East to conclude security cooperation agreements.
Russia remains one of the main beneficiaries of the war involving Iran, analysts say. This is not only due to increased oil revenues, but also because the United States is spending scarce munitions, such as Patriot missiles, which as a result will not be delivered to Kyiv. However, Ukraine is making every effort to offset Russia’s gains in this proxy war, Boot concludes.
On March 26, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy arrived in Saudi Arabia. He later announced the signing of a defense cooperation agreement concluded by the defense ministries of the two countries.
On March 28, the Ukrainian leader visited the UAE and Qatar and met with their leaders. Zelenskyy announced that Ukraine had signed a 10-year strategic cooperation agreement with Qatar, as well as plans to conclude a similar agreement with the UAE.
On March 29, Zelenskyy discussed security issues with Jordan’s King Abdullah II.
On March 30, he said that during talks with leaders of Persian Gulf states, Ukraine agreed on mutual assistance in defense and energy. The agreements are for 10 years and include, in particular, the supply of naval drones.
Following the visit, Zelenskyy announced possible security cooperation agreements with Jordan and Kuwait, and spoke about additional requests from Bahrain and Oman.