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In a significant development, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced a new defence collaboration with the United Arab Emirates on Saturday. This agreement comes as Gulf nations contend with drone threats from Iran, which has been launching strikes in response to US-Israeli military actions. Following his diplomatic mission in the UAE, Zelensky is set to visit Qatar.
Zelensky’s tour, which was previously unpublicized, included a stop in Saudi Arabia earlier this week. The visits are part of Ukraine’s strategic move to assist Gulf countries in countering drone attacks by sharing its expertise in neutralizing Russian drones. To this end, Kyiv has dispatched anti-drone specialists to several Gulf states, including Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Qatar.
During a meeting in Saudi Arabia on Thursday, Zelensky revealed a defence pact with Riyadh. Following this, he engaged in discussions with Emirati President Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan in the UAE.
“We have agreed to collaborate on security and defence,” Zelensky shared via social media, noting that both nations’ teams will work out the specific details of the partnership.
He emphasized the importance of stability and the protection of lives, stating, “For all nations that uphold normalcy, ensuring stability and safeguarding lives amid current threats is crucial. Ukraine possesses significant expertise in this domain.”
“For all normal states, it is important to ensure stability and protect lives amid today’s threats. Ukraine has relevant expertise in this area,” he said.
Also Saturday, Zelensky said on social media he had “arrived in Qatar. Real security is built on partnership — we value everyone and remain open to supporting all those who are ready to work together for this goal.”
The visit was confirmed by the Gulf nation’s state news agency.
Ukraine touts its anti-drone defences as the best in the world.
It has proposed swapping its interceptors for vastly more expensive air-defence missiles that Gulf countries are using to down Iranian drones. Kyiv says it needs more of them to fend off near-daily Russian missile attacks.
“Protection must be sufficient everywhere. That is why we are open to joint work that, in a strategic perspective, will certainly strengthen our peoples and the protection of life in our countries,” Zelensky said on Saturday.
In the UAE, Zelensky met with Ukrainian anti-drone experts, who “have been working here to help in protecting lives”.
“Today, Ukraine not only needs assistance but is also ready to support those who support us,” Zelensky said.
