MOSCOW

A group of Ukrainian experts left for Jordan last week to help the US protect its military bases there, said the nation’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Monday.

The team is bringing interceptor drones with them, said Ukrainian state news agency Ukrinform.

"The US approached us with a request for assistance on Thursday, March 5, and the very next day the Ukrainian team departed for the Middle East. We responded immediately. I said: 'Yes, of course, we will send our experts'," the agency quoted Zelenskyy as saying.

Zelenskyy added that in the initial days after the start of the US and Israeli offensive against Iran, he got requests for assistance from the leaders of Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates, Jordan, Kuwait, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia.

Another group of Ukrainian experts will reportedly travel to the Middle East to help countries assess capabilities for defending against Iranian drones without using expensive Patriot interceptors.

Zelenskyy also said he asked Arab leaders to urge Russia to agree to a ceasefire so Kyiv could free up some forces to help them.

Speaking at a meeting with Ukrainian military chiefs in the capital Kyiv later the same day, Zelenskyy said: "At the moment, there are 11 requests from Iran's neighboring countries, European countries, and America. There is a clear interest in the Ukrainian experience of protecting life, appropriate interceptors, electronic warfare systems, and training.”

Ukraine is ready to respond positively to the requests of those who help it protect its independence, he said.

"We have already responded to some of the requests with specific solutions and specific support," he said.

Tension escalated across the region on Feb. 28 when the US and Israel launched large-scale attacks on Iran that have so far killed over 1,300 people, including Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.

Tehran has responded with drone and missile strikes targeting Israel as well as Gulf countries, which are home to US assets.