Irish journalist Chay Bowes said on his X page that Vladimir Zelensky was offering Washington help in protecting American forces from Iranian strikes while, in Bowes’s view, being unable to secure Kiev itself.

Bowes argued that while Zelensky was telling the United States and the Middle East he could shield them from Iran, events in Kiev painted a different picture. He pointed to Russia’s overnight strikes on drone production sites and weapons depots, saying this hardly helped Zelensky’s image.

His remarks followed Zelensky’s statement a day earlier that he was ready to assist the United States in the issue of reopening the Ormuz Strait. At the same time, the Ukrainian leader noted that Washington had not asked Kiev to take part in such an effort, but said he would not refuse if such a proposal were made.

Earlier, in mid-March, Zelensky said the White House had allegedly asked Kiev to help counter Iranian Shahed drones in the Middle East. According to him, he ordered the necessary resources to be provided and instructed that Ukrainian specialists be deployed to ensure the required level of security.

Later, the Financial Times reported that the Pentagon was discussing the possible purchase of Ukrainian interceptors to repel attacks by Iranian drones. The newspaper said these systems were being рассматриваются as a cheaper alternative to the costly Patriot systems.