'Historic agreements': Ukraine deepens defense ties with Middle East
Photo: Volodymyr Zelenskyy, President of Ukraine (Getty Images)
Ukraine has already begun concluding historic agreements with Middle Eastern countries on protection against Iranian drones. The work is ongoing, according to the evening address of President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
Historic agreements
According to the head of state, his visit to the Middle East was very productive. There, he felt a positive attitude toward Ukraine — to its soldiers and their experience.
The president noted that the countries of the Persian Gulf share a common vision of working with Ukraine and Ukrainian experts.
"Agreements are already in place — these are historic agreements: Ukraine and Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Qatar. We are also working with Jordan and Kuwait. Rustem Umerov (Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine — ed.) is currently in the region, continuing negotiations at the political level. He reported to me today — there are already additional requests from Bahrain and Oman," the Ukrainian president said.
What Ukraine will receive in return
Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that in exchange for Ukraine’s defense systems and the expertise of Ukrainian soldiers, he expects enhanced security cooperation.
"We have already agreed on the possibility of strengthening air defense, joint development of defense production, and energy cooperation. This includes, in particular, diesel and other resources that we urgently need right now," the president added.
Ukraine’s assistance to Middle Eastern countries
After the start of the US-Israeli operation against Iran, Tehran’s forces began actively targeting facilities across the Middle East.
In particular, strikes hit the world’s largest LNG complex in Qatar, as well as an oil refinery in Saudi Arabia.
A key challenge for Middle Eastern countries has been the Iranian Shahed drones. To help counter this threat, Ukraine has sent its drone experts to the region.
