Trump and Zelenskyy Rebuild Ties as Ukraine Offers 200 Drone Experts for Iran War
Updated
Updated · The Guardian · Aug 1
Trump and Zelenskyy Rebuild Ties as Ukraine Offers 200 Drone Experts for Iran War
3 articles · Updated · The Guardian · Aug 1
Summary
A White House meeting this week underscored a sharp thaw after Trump’s February 2025 rupture with Zelenskyy, with the two leaders now holding a run of friendlier talks.
Ukraine’s pitch has shifted from seeking aid to offering it: Zelenskyy says 200 military experts were sent to 11 Gulf countries to help counter Iranian Shahed drones and shared intelligence alleging Russian support for Iranian strikes.
Trump also praised Zelenskyy at NATO’s Ankara summit and said he would license Ukrainian production of Patriot interceptors, though he later cast doubt on that pledge at a cabinet meeting.
The warmer ties track Washington’s trouble ending the Iran war after a June 60-day ceasefire memorandum collapsed and fighting resumed around the Strait of Hormuz.
Analysts say the transactional alignment could win Ukraine more US backing, but it also risks merging the Iran and Russia wars and widening Tehran’s retaliation.