Axios: U.S. declined Ukraine counter-drone plan months before Iranian strikes

According to the report, Kyiv presented a proposal demonstrating how Ukrainian-developed counter-drone technology could help protect U.S. troops and their allies in the Middle East from Iranian-made Shahed drones.

Washington rejected the offer at the time. However, the U.S. position reportedly shifted last week following a series of Iranian drone attacks.

Two U.S. officials told Axios that ignoring Ukraine’s proposal may have been one of the Trump administration’s most significant tactical missteps since the start of the U.S. military operation against Iran on Feb. 28.

“If there was a tactical mistake or oversight that preceded this [war with Iran], this was it,” one U.S. official told the outlet.

Iranian Shahed drone attacks have already killed seven U.S. service members, Axios reported. Intercepting the relatively inexpensive drones has cost the U.S. and its regional allies millions of dollars.

Ukraine currently has the world’s most extensive experience countering Shahed drones due to Russia’s repeated use of the Iranian-made weapons during the full-scale invasion.

According to Axios, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy raised the proposal during a closed meeting at the White House on Aug. 18, 2025, offering interceptor drones as a way to strengthen ties with Washington and as a sign of gratitude for U.S. support.

The presentation prepared by Ukrainian officials reportedly included a map of the Middle East and warned that Iran was continuing to improve its kamikaze drone capabilities.

A Ukrainian official told Axios that Trump instructed his team in August to review the proposal, “but they didn’t do anything.”

Last week, the United States formally asked Zelenskyy for assistance in countering Iranian drones.

Ukraine’s potential role in defending against Iranian drones in the Middle East

President Zelenskyy said on March 3 that Ukraine would work with teams from the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, and other Gulf states to develop measures aimed at protecting civilians in the region.

“Ukraine’s expertise in defending against Shahed drones is currently the most advanced in the world,” Zelenskyy said.

At the same time, the Ukrainian president stressed that any support for partners must not weaken Ukraine’s own defenses.

“Russia’s war against Ukraine continues, Russian strikes continue, and protecting Ukrainian citizens remains our top priority,” Zelenskyy said.

Zelenskyy also held talks with Qatar’s emir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, during which they discussed the regional situation and agreed to continue consultations on ways to improve civilian protection.

The Ukrainian president also suggested that Kyiv could potentially exchange interceptor drones for missiles used by Patriot air defense systems. Gulf states possess PAC-3 missiles, Zelenskyy said, but using them to shoot down relatively inexpensive Iranian drones is inefficient.

Ukraine could instead provide interceptor drones while receiving additional Patriot missiles in return, he said.

On March 9, Zelenskyy said Ukraine had already received 11 requests from different countries seeking assistance in defending against Shahed drones.