Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy made an unexpected trip to Saudi Arabia on Thursday, aiming to secure backing for Kyiv as reports suggest the U.S. may redirect military support to the Middle East amid growing tensions with Iran.
In Jeddah, Zelenskyy met with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to discuss both the intensifying conflict in the Middle East and Ukraine’s ongoing war. The Ukrainian leader described the trip as a series of “important meetings” and offered Kyiv’s expertise in air defense and drone technology to regional nations affected by Iranian strikes.
Over 200 Ukrainian specialists have been deployed to advise Gulf countries on intercepting attacks that have disrupted energy infrastructure across the region.
Zelenskyy is seeking to strengthen Gulf support for Ukraine as the war against Russia enters its fifth year and Western military assistance faces increasing uncertainty.
Iran’s Shahed-136 “kamikaze” drone has become a prominent weapon in modern combat, with Russia employing it extensively during its invasion of Ukraine. Ukraine has had some success neutralizing these drones with fighter jet cannon fire and has developed lower-cost, mass-produced interceptors.
Earlier this month, Zelenskyy addressed the U.K. parliament, drawing parallels between the Iran conflict and Ukraine’s struggle against Russia. He suggested that collaborating with Middle Eastern partners to build systems similar to Ukraine’s would enable them to track attacks, analyze threats, and improve defenses in real time, safeguarding civilians, infrastructure, and trade routes.
The visit coincides with reports that the Pentagon is considering reallocating weapons and equipment originally intended for Ukraine to the Middle East, as the escalating Iran tensions strain U.S. munitions stockpiles.
The Trump administration has also contemplated deploying an additional 10,000 troops to the region, adding to the roughly 5,000 Marines and paratroopers from the 82nd Airborne Division already in place.
This buildup has raised concerns about a potential ground attack on Iran, despite conflicting signals regarding negotiations. Trump claimed talks were progressing well, while Tehran denied any direct discussions with Washington.
White House spokesperson Anna Kelly stated that all announcements regarding troop movements will come from the Department of War and reiterated that the president retains all military options.
Meanwhile, Ukraine faces renewed Russian offensives and challenges in securing new NATO commitments to replenish U.S.-made air defense interceptors capable of countering high-speed Russian ballistic missiles.
A €90 billion ($104 billion) European Union aid package for Ukraine has also been jeopardized after Hungary blocked the financial support.
Military analysts suggest that the scale of additional U.S. troop deployments points to limited, time-bound operations rather than a full-scale ground campaign.
Former Assistant Secretary of State Mark Kimmitt indicated that current troop movements appear geared toward specific missions, not a broad land invasion. A ground assault on Tehran would require multiple divisions, which are neither being planned nor likely to gain public support.
Kimmitt said smaller operations are more feasible, such as a paratrooper insertion onto Kharg Island, a major oil export hub, or a Marine landing along the coast to control the Strait of Hormuz.
Retired U.S. Army Lt. Col. Daniel Davis estimated that only 4,000 to 5,000 combat troops are being deployed in the region, emphasizing that no larger force has been prepared or trained for a conventional ground invasion, which would require months of preparation.