Ukrainian President Signs Defense Agreements in Middle East
- While visiting the Middle East, Volodymyr Zelensky signed defense agreements with Gulf countries targeted by Iranian drones and missiles.
- The Ukrainian leader announced military agreements with Saudi Arabia and Qatar for a “10-year cooperation.”
- Experts were deployed by Kiev to receive aid in protecting against Russian strikes in return.
A surprise visit and several defense agreements were made. Volodymyr Zelensky stated on March 28th that the agreements with Gulf countries targeted by Iranian drones and missiles, as a response to American-Israeli strikes on Iran, included a “10-year cooperation” in defense and the establishment of joint production chains.
“We have already signed an agreement to this effect with Saudi Arabia, just signed a similar agreement with Qatar for 10 years, and will sign one with the United Arab Emirates,” the Ukrainian president told journalists.
Agreement Signed with Qatar Following Saudi Arabia
During his reception in Doha last Saturday, Qatar and Ukraine signed a defense agreement including “collaboration in technological fields, joint investments, and exchange of expertise in countering missiles and unmanned aerial systems,” as stated by the Gulf state’s Defense Ministry in a release.
On Thursday, the Ukrainian president traveled to Riyadh where he signed a cooperation pact with Saudi Arabia, allowing Kiev to share its experience in countering Iranian Shahed drones, while the petro-monarchies struggle to defend themselves.
Ukrainian Experts Already Sent to the Middle East
“We are ready to share our expertise and systems with Saudi Arabia,” Volodymyr Zelensky stated on social media. Riyadh “possesses what interests Ukraine,” he added without providing details.
Indeed, Ukraine recently sent military experts to Saudi Arabia to share their experience in intercepting Shahed drones, produced by Iran and now mass-produced by Moscow to attack Ukraine.
In the Saudi capital, the Ukrainian leader also met with UAE President Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, stating on social media that the two leaders “agreed to cooperate in security and defense. Our teams will finalize the details.”
Ukraine has offered to exchange its drone interceptors for more costly anti-aircraft defense missiles, which Gulf countries use to shoot down Iranian drones. Kiev claims it needs them to counter Russia’s nearly daily missile strikes.
