Zelenskyy told NBC he is “100% confident” Russia fed Iran the satellite intel used to target a US air base in Saudi Arabia days before the strike

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says he is “100%” confident that Russia gave Iran satellite intelligence used to target a U.S. air base in Saudi Arabia. He shared this based on a summary of Ukrainian intelligence. The claim comes after Iran attacked the Prince Sultan Air Base, which hosts U.S. and Saudi troops, wounding several American service members, though none of the injuries were life-threatening.

Zelenskyy said Russian satellites captured images of the Prince Sultan Air Base on three occasions: March 20, March 23, and March 25. He believes this repeated imaging shows clear signs of attack planning. “We know that if they make images once, they are preparing,” Zelenskyy told NBC. “If they make images a second time, it’s like a simulation. The third time it means that in one or two days, they will attack.”

When asked if Russia helps Iran, he said: “Of course. How many percent? One-hundred percent.” He also stated, “I think that it’s in Russia’s interest to help Iranians. And I don’t believe, I know, that they share information.” Earlier this month, reports citing four sources also claimed Russia was sharing intelligence with Iran about U.S. forces in the Middle East. Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov denied this, but confirmed Moscow has sent military equipment to Iran.

Russia appears to be using the Middle East conflict to drain Western weapons away from Ukraine

Zelenskyy expressed concern that the conflict in the Middle East is rapidly draining stockpiles of American-made missile interceptors among U.S. allies in the region. He called it a “mistake” if interceptors meant for Ukraine were rerouted to Gulf countries. He noted that deliveries to Kyiv have not been disrupted so far. “I’m very worried. I hope that the United States will not make such mistakes,” he said.

Zelenskyy also believes Russian President Vladimir Putin wants a “long war in the Middle East,” pointing to higher oil prices and the temporary lifting of some U.S. sanctions on Russian oil as benefits for the Kremlin. “If sanctions are lifted, [Putin] will get more money, much more money, and he will put this money to weapons,” he said.

The ongoing Middle East conflict has also slowed peace talks between Ukraine and Russia. Zelenskyy said the U.S. mediation team, led by special envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, has been unable to hold negotiations outside the U.S. during the Iran war. 

Russia was unwilling to meet on neutral ground, and Moscow’s key demand that could derail peace talks remains a serious obstacle, even though Kremlin envoy Kirill Dmitriev had previously traveled to Florida for talks with U.S. counterparts.

Ukraine says it remains ready to negotiate anywhere except Russia and Belarus. Zelenskyy suggested Turkey or Switzerland as possible venues. “We will never be the side who is blocking or delaying or postponing, etc. And that’s why we are ready to meet everywhere except Russia and Belarus – they are allies and they are enemies,” he said.

During his tour of Gulf states, Zelenskyy signed defense agreements with Saudi Arabia and Qatar. Ukraine is exchanging drone defense expertise for billions in funding as part of these agreements, with investment going directly into Ukrainian defense industries. 

Iran’s low-cost Shahed drones, widely used against Ukraine over the past four years, have also been deployed against Iran’s neighbors in the region. When asked if President Trump cares about Ukraine’s future, Zelenskyy paused and said: “I hope so.”