For Ukraine, Iran War Is Another Competition With Russia

Recent geopolitical shifts in the Middle East have created an opening for Kyiv. Make us preferred on Google Share Facebook X (Twitter) LinkedIn Bluesky Email Copy Copied Demonstrators wave Iranian flags during a protest against US military action in Iran near the White House in Washington, DC, on April 7, 2026. (Photo by Mandel NGAN / AFP) Content Share Facebook X (Twitter) LinkedIn Bluesky Email Copy Copied Flip Make us preferred on Google As the US-Israel war against Iran enters a cooling phase after over a month of intense hostilities, Ukraine is increasingly positioning itself as a separate player, seeking to leverage the conflict to expand its influence in the Middle East and counter Russia. Ukraine has long viewed Iran as one of its principal adversaries due to Tehran’s sustained military support for Moscow, particularly through the supply of Shahed-131 and Shahed-136 drones, widely used against Ukrainian cities and infrastructure. Follow our coverage of the war on the @Kyivpost_official . Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has repeatedly described Iran as an enemy. Kyiv has therefore welcomed developments that could weaken Tehran’s regional influence and its cooperation with Russia. In March, Iran warned that Ukraine could be considered a legitimate target due to its stance. Kyiv dismissed the threat. In early March, a senior official from Zelensky’s office, speaking on condition of anonymity, told Kyiv Post that Ukraine rejects Tehran’s claims and views Iran as already directly involved in the war through its military support to Russia. Deputy Secretary of Ukraine’s National Security and Defense Council, David Aloyan, reinforced this position, stating that cooperation between Moscow and Tehran continues to deepen. “Russia is already sharing intelligence and operational experience with Iran. This includes targeting and drone warfare practices. We see evidence of this cooperation expanding,” Aloyan said. “We take this into account in our own actions.” Other Topics of Interest EU Running Out of Steam to Counter Record Energy Crisis Central bankers warn of potential rationing as the Persian Gulf shutdown enters its eighth week, leaving debt-laden European nations with limited fiscal room to intervene. Building a long-term regional role Following the fall of Bashar al-Assad’s regime in Syria in late 2024 and the elimination of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei during the early phase of the conflict, Russia’s regional influence has weakened. Ukraine is now seeking to capitalize on this vacuum. According to Aloyan, Kyiv views the situation less as an opportunity for short-term gain and more as a chance to build long-term partnerships, particularly with Gulf states. This includes potential agreements on energy supplies, such as diesel fuel, which Ukraine sees as critical in future crises. “If we face similar challenges again, we are confident that these countries will stand with us. These partnerships are built with that long-term perspective in mind,” Aloyan said. Ukraine is also working to re-establish ties with Syria’s new leadership following Assad’s fall, with Zelensky visiting Damascus in early April. The conflict has underscored a key lesson Ukraine has learned on the battlefield: expensive air defense systems, such as the Patriot missile system, are often inefficient against large-scale attacks by low-cost drones. Ukraine has developed extensive experience countering such threats and is now exporting that expertise. Around 200 Ukrainian specialists are currently operating in the Middle East, assisting regional partners in air defense and drone interception. “Our partners in the Gulf states are very happy with the results,” Aloyan said. While there is no official confirmation that Ukrainian systems are already being deployed against Iranian drones in the region, Kyiv has opened the door to exporting drones and related technologies under new legal frameworks governing defense exports. Ukraine is also offering expertise in maintaining maritime trade routes, including ensuring navigation through the Strait of Hormuz, which after a brief opening has been shut down again. This builds on Kyiv’s experience with the Black Sea grain corridor, which enabled exports despite Russian naval threats. Ukraine’s growing engagement in the Middle East comes with diplomatic challenges. While relations between Gulf states and Iran have deteriorated, their ties with Israel remain complex. Doha, in particular, has been criticized by Israel for alleged links to Hamas. For Kyiv, this creates a balancing act. Ukraine is seeking to maintain ties with Israel – which has provided limited but notable support since 2022, despite the recent Russia-stolen Ukraine grain offloaded in the Haifa port incident – while simultaneously deepening cooperation with Gulf partners. Kyiv Post was unable to confirm whether a requested conversation between Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and President Zelensky took place or led to concrete outcomes, such as renewed discussions on supplying air defense systems.  Zelensky’s absence of Jerusalem in his Middle East itinerary has likewise raised eyebrows. Some Israeli analysts, including former ambassador to Russia Arkady Milman, have argued that Israel missed earlier opportunities to deepen cooperation with Ukraine and benefit from its battlefield experience. Still, a source in Zelensky’s office told Kyiv Post in early March that Ukraine remains open to quid pro quo arrangements with Israel.  Ultimately, Ukraine’s engagement in the Iran war reflects a broader strategic goal: competing with Russia in a region where both countries are actively projecting influence. The conflict has produced mixed outcomes for Moscow. While it has benefited from higher global oil prices, it has also seen its key partner Iran weakened and its regional position eroded. At the same time, Ukraine warns that Russia is likely to continue transferring battlefield knowledge to Iran. “I have no doubt that Russia will transfer its experience to Iran, particularly in enhancing [unmanned aerial vehicle] UAV resilience to countermeasures,” Aloyan said. He added that Ukraine and its partners are focused on building a layered air defense ecosystem, integrating detection systems, electronic warfare, and interceptor drones. “Such an ecosystem encompasses a wide range of solutions where interceptor drones are just one of the elements,” he stated. The views expressed in this opinion article are the author’s and not necessarily those of Kyiv Post. Lesia Dubenko is a Ukrainian political scientist and analyst. A graduate of Lund University (MSc in European Affairs), she covers issues relating to international affairs, migration, and disinformation.