Russia will help Iran go nuclear in exchange for drones, says Ukraine's Zelenskyy

By Abdel Raouf Arnaout

JERUSALEM (AA) – Ukraine’s president on Monday warned Israel that Russia would help Iran develop its nuclear program in exchange for drones.

Iran's sale of drones to Russian forces in Ukraine would not have been possible without Israel's decision to remain neutral in the conflict, Volodymyr Zelenskyy said, according to Israeli daily Haaretz.

"In eight months of total war, Russia has used about 4,500 missiles against us, and their stockpile of missiles is dwindling,” the newspaper quoted him as saying.

“Russia is looking for low-cost weapons in other countries to continue its terrorism,” he added.

Zelenskyy stated that “Russia will pay Iran by helping it go nuclear.”

Iran has more than once denied sending drones to Russia.

On Monday, the Israeli Defense Ministry said: "Defense Minister Benny Gantz had a positive discussion with his Ukrainian counterpart Oleksii Reznikov."

“Gantz stressed the operational limitations of Israel, therefore it will not provide weapons to Ukraine,” it added.

Tel Aviv has a nuclear arsenal that is not subject to international controls.

*Ikram Imane Kouachi contributed to this report