Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy addressed representatives from 50 nations on Friday, advocating for collaborative action to establish an effective security operation in the Strait of Hormuz, while suggesting that Ukraine’s Black Sea wartime expertise could prove valuable.
Speaking during a video conference led by France and Britain, Zelenskyy warned that “Decisions made regarding Hormuz now will determine how other aggressive actors perceive the possibility of creating problems in other straits and on other fronts.”
The Ukrainian leader stressed the importance of taking decisive action, stating: “We need to be as specific and clear as possible so that in six months we don’t find ourselves in the same situation as in Gaza, where much still needs to be done.”
Zelenskyy noted that maritime security challenges in the Hormuz region require more than diplomatic solutions, explaining that “In Hormuz, there are security challenges that cannot be addressed by political decisions alone,” though he did not provide additional details.
Drawing on Ukraine’s ongoing conflict with Russia, Zelenskyy highlighted his country’s relevant experience, noting that over four years of warfare, Ukraine had “already carried out a very similar mission in the Black Sea.”
He explained Ukraine’s maritime defense capabilities, saying: “Russia also attempted to blockade our sea and we have experience in escorting merchant vessels, demining, defending against air attacks and the overall coordination of such operations.”
The president revealed that Ukraine has deployed military experts across Middle Eastern countries to share knowledge about countering Russian-made drones, many of which originated from Iranian designs.
“We can also contribute to maritime security,” Zelenskyy declared during his remarks, which were published on the Telegram messaging platform.
Ukraine has already established defense cooperation partnerships with Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates, while currently negotiating similar agreements with Oman, Kuwait and Bahrain.
