Defense: Kyiv concludes its first agreement in the Gulf with Riyadh

Ukraine and Saudi Arabia have agreed to cooperate in defense in the context of the war against Iran and drone attacks by Tehran on neighboring countries, with Kyiv signing its first agreement of this kind in the Gulf.

The agreement was signed in Djeddah on Thursday, during the visit of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to Saudi Arabia, a month after the start of the war against Iran. According to Kyiv, the document “lays the foundation for future contracts, technological cooperation, and investments, while enhancing Ukraine’s international role as a security provider.”

“Thanks to its expertise and technologies, our country will help Saudi Arabia strengthen its air defense capabilities.”

After meeting with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud, the Ukrainian president stated that his country was ready to “share its expertise and system to cooperate with Saudi Arabia in protecting lives.”

“For five years, Ukrainians have been resisting the same type of terrorist attacks, ballistic missiles, and drones that the Iranian regime is currently carrying out in the Middle East and the Gulf region.”

He admitted that Saudi Arabia “possesses capabilities that interest Ukraine.”

Zelensky did not provide more details during his visit. In his previous statements, he clearly indicated what Kyiv wants above all: air defense against Russian ballistic missiles.

He also met with Ukrainian experts in drone defense who have been deployed in Saudi Arabia for over a week. “Even in such a short time, Ukrainian experts have been able to share their vast expertise,” he said.

“Ukraine’s expertise is unique and recognized as such, which is why everyone is interested in our technologies and experience.”

Ukraine has sent over 200 of its own experts in drone tracking to Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Qatar. Thirty others are heading to Jordan and Kuwait, the Ukrainian president told journalists through WhatsApp last week.

His visit to the Gulf region comes at a crucial time for Kyiv, with Ukrainian air defenses achieving an impressive interception rate of 97% against Russian drones during the latest Moscow attack.

Cooperation in the Gulf, a matter of European security

Speaking at the Joint Expeditionary Force (JEF) summit in Helsinki on Thursday, Volodymyr Zelensky presented Ukraine’s engagement in the Gulf as a contribution to global security and energy stability.

“It is important because energy security and the cost of living, especially in Europe, depend on their oil, gas, and other resources, as well as the stability of global markets.”

He also stressed that Europe should have “the full capacity to produce all types of air defense and missile systems that are intended for them,” including protection against drones, cruise missiles, and ballistic threats.

“We cannot rely on industries from other partners. We must trust our own industry here in Europe,” he stated.

His calls to increase European defense production and the new agreements signed in the Gulf region come as reports indicate that the United States could redirect military aid intended for Ukraine to the Middle East.

This move would make Ukraine’s air defense extremely vulnerable and exposed to Russian ballistic missile attacks, which Moscow has intensified.