Zelensky Wants to "Exchange Equally" with Middle Eastern Countries: Trading Equipment and Experience for Intercepting Drones for Patriot-3 Air Defense Missiles

[Global Times Correspondent in Russia, Xiao Xinxin] According to Italy's "Evening Post," on March 3 local time, Ukrainian President Zelensky stated in an interview with the newspaper that "elections will definitely be held after the war ends, not during a temporary ceasefire." However, this report was refuted by the Ukrainian presidential office.

According to reports, regarding whether he would participate in the presidential election, Zelensky stated that the real question is when elections can be held, and that elections will definitely be held after the war ends, rather than during a "temporary ceasefire." He is completely uncertain whether he will run, as it depends on the will of the Ukrainian people. However, on March 3, the Ukrainian National News Agency quoted a source from the presidential office saying that the "Evening Post" misquoted Zelensky's remarks about the election. The remarks cited by the newspaper implied that Zelensky had changed his position. The presidential office stated that Zelensky's original words were: "The real question is: when can we hold elections? If elections are held after the war ends, rather than during a temporary ceasefire, I am completely uncertain whether I will run—I will see the will of the Ukrainian people."

Additionally, according to a report by the Ukrainian News Agency on March 3, Zelensky also told the media that Ukrainian diplomats at all levels are consulting with representatives from Middle Eastern countries, and in the coming days he will speak with leaders of all Middle Eastern countries that maintain contact with Ukraine or wish to cooperate. The most pressing issue for all parties is how to defend the airspace. He stated that Ukraine currently lacks "Patriot-3" air defense missiles. The "Patriot" air defense systems from Middle Eastern countries are difficult to defend against a large number of Iranian drones; if they are willing to provide Ukraine with "Patriot-3" air defense missiles, Ukraine will offer them equipment and experience to intercept Iranian drones, which is an "equivalent exchange."

On March 3, Politico reported that as military action against Iran becomes the current top priority for the U.S., European officials are concerned that a "distracted America" and Trump will lose interest in pushing to end the Russia-Ukraine conflict. If the U.S. becomes embroiled in a prolonged conflict in the Middle East, Ukraine may be unable to obtain the U.S.-made weapons needed to defend against daily missile attacks from Russia, as the U.S. military will be using a large amount of weaponry to strike Iran. U.S. officials have expressed concerns that American weapon stockpiles may be depleted. A senior European government official warned that this could prompt the Trump administration to prioritize replenishing its own stockpiles rather than supplying missiles to Europe and Ukraine. "A large amount of firepower, including interceptors and other missiles, has already been consumed; the U.S. needs to replenish its stockpiles, which means fewer weapons are available for purchase by Europe and Ukraine."

Bloomberg reported on March 3 that Russia is the "only winner" of the U.S. war against Iran. Russia has become a clear beneficiary of Trump's decision to go to war with Iran. As the conflict continues, the benefits Russia receives will only increase. The military action that Trump claims could last four to five weeks will significantly deplete U.S. missile stockpiles while driving up global oil and gas prices, which both the Russian economy and military budget rely on. Military action against Iran also threatens the supply of "Patriot" air defense missiles to Ukraine. The war against Iran represents for Russia "no better time than this." Any pressure Russia might feel to make concessions for a lasting peace agreement will disappear.

Additionally, according to a report by Reuters on March 3, U.S. strikes against Iran have angered Russian "hardliners," who are calling for an escalation of the war in Ukraine. Some hawks have publicly demanded that Russia abandon U.S.-brokered peace talks with Ukraine and instead double down on military operations against Ukraine. They believe that the U.S.-Iran nuclear negotiations held before the U.S. strikes against Iran were a "conspiracy" and indicate that the U.S. is "untrustworthy." The report states that Russian officials still hope Trump can help Russia end the war in Ukraine on its own terms and facilitate a broader, profitable reconciliation between the U.S. and Russia. The hardline rhetoric from Russian hawks reflects real unease within Russia. They believe that the increasingly aggressive U.S. president is undermining Russia's influence on the world stage, and that Trump is systematically eliminating Russian allies, including Iran and Venezuela.

On March 3, the Russian International News Agency reported that Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov stated that the U.S. has not deviated from the "Anchorage Consensus" previously reached between Russia and the U.S. regarding the Ukraine issue, which includes Ukraine's need to abandon its NATO membership and resolve territorial issues based on current realities. However, Europe is trying to force the Trump administration to deviate from these consensus points. Europe claims that the core of resolving the Ukraine issue is to ensure Ukraine's security. However, deploying Western troops to Ukraine and militarizing Ukraine contradicts the goals of Russia's special military operation and does not align with Russian interests. Russian presidential spokesman Peskov stated on March 3 that in light of the U.S. involvement in military action against Iran, Russia has not yet seen any signs of a change in the U.S. position in negotiations regarding Ukraine.

Currently, the conflict between Russia and Ukraine continues. On March 4, the Ukrainian Air Force reported that from the evening of March 3 to the early morning of March 4, Russian forces launched 149 drones into Ukrainian territory, and the Ukrainian air defense systems intercepted and shot down 129 of them. The Russian Ministry of Defense reported on March 4 that Russian forces continue to launch offensives in multiple directions, including Sumy, Kharkiv, Donetsk, and Zaporizhzhia, and have repelled Ukrainian military attacks. Over the past day, Russian forces have targeted 149 areas of Ukrainian energy infrastructure, drone production and launch centers, and temporary deployment points of the Ukrainian military.