'First in Ukraine’s history.' Zelenskyy reveals breakthrough deals with the Middle East
Photo: Volodymyr Zelenskyy, President of Ukraine (Getty Images)
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has announced upcoming agreements with Middle Eastern countries, focusing on strategic cooperation and decade-long partnerships, in response to a question from RBC-Ukraine.
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Zelenskyy spoke about his visits to Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, and Jordan, as well as contacts with other states. He added that the National Security and Defense Council Secretary, Rustem Umerov, is still in the region.
"We have taken a very important step. We shared our expertise on protecting people and civilian infrastructure. Middle Eastern leaders are very grateful for this," he emphasized.
'Historic agreements'
The President also announced upcoming meetings with several other representatives and stressed that the agreements being discussed are strategic and long-term.
"I believe these are historic agreements. We are negotiating strategic cooperation in miltech and other areas. We are talking about ten-year contracts. This is mutual assistance, of course," Zelenskyy said.
He added that Kyiv is also interested in anti-ballistic capabilities, which he noted remain in short supply.
"This is also about exports and opening up exports — but in the right way, when you know that a full system is being sold to partners, not just interceptors. It includes defense lines, software, and electronic warfare systems — we are taking a systemic approach to this issue," Zelenskyy explained.
Energy agreements
He stressed that all agreements are extremely important for Ukraine and will be legally formalized. The Ukrainian president подчеркнул, что Ukraine has never had agreements like these in the region before.
Zelenskyy also noted that Kyiv faces challenges related to energy, including diesel supplies. He said agreements on energy support from Gulf countries are already in place.
Naval drones and the Strait of Hormuz
The President also announced agreements with Arab countries on naval drones and addressed whether Ukrainian expertise could help unblock the Strait of Hormuz.
"We raised this issue because it is a painful and urgent one for the entire world amid the energy crisis. They know they can rely on our expertise in this area. We shared our experience with the Black Sea corridor and how it operates," his statement said.
According to Zelenskyy, Middle Eastern countries understand that the Ukrainian Armed Forces have been "highly effective" in unblocking the Black Sea corridor.
"As for other directions, including Hormuz, in my view, the United States is handling this. But we are always ready to help our partners," the Ukrainian president added.
Earlier, Zelenskyy said that during his Middle East visit, he secured diesel supplies for Ukraine for at least one year, noting that the country's fuel reserves had been depleted.
In addition, during a meeting with the UAE president, the Ukrainian leader agreed on cooperation in security and defense.
