Ukrainian president warns Russia could send troops to Iran

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has warned that Russia could potentially send troops to Iran, amid growing military cooperation between Moscow and Tehran.

In an interview with Irish blogger Caolan Robertson, the Ukrainian president said Russia has already begun supporting the Iranian government with drone technology and may expand its assistance to include missiles and air defence systems.

“Russia started supporting the Iranian regime with drones. It will definitely help with missiles, and it is also helping them with air defense. What’s next? Given the situation, there is only one question: when and which country will be the first to support the Iranian regime by sending troops? As happened with Russia, when North Korea sent 10,000 soldiers, who are now deployed in Russia but can be sent to Ukraine. The same could happen in Iran – Russia could send troops there,” Zelenskyy said.

The Ukrainian leader also warned that expanding cooperation between Russia and Iran in drone production represents a serious threat to global security and could potentially trigger a wider international conflict.

According to Zelenskyy, continued escalation could have far-reaching consequences. He added that if no one stops this war now, as the West should have stopped Russia at the very beginning, then the conflict in the Middle East could be long, at least until autumn.

Zelenskyy added that he had previously raised concerns about the risk of a global conflict with Donald Trump, but said his warnings were not taken seriously.

"The world is not prepared from the technical side. Not enough prepared - Europe. Only some countries. Yes, they on the way. For example, Germans are very quick, but it's not enough. It's not enough time to be prepared this year for, for example, such challenges. Yes. And the Nordic countries are also very technological countries. I mean, northern Europe they they are preparing," Zelenskyy said.

By Vafa Guliyeva