Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky secured defense cooperation agreements with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Qatar during his visit to both countries. These deals focus on countering missile and drone threats, leveraging Ukraine's expertise in air defense.
Key Takeaways
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky secured defense cooperation agreements with the UAE and Qatar during his visit to both countries. These deals focus on countering missile and drone threats, leveraging Ukraine's expertise in air defense.
- Zelensky signed security accords with Saudi Arabia, UAE, and Qatar
- Agreements include exchange of expertise in countering missiles and drones
- Ukraine seeks high-end air-defense missiles from Gulf nations in exchange for its aid
- Deals also focus on securing energy and fuel supplies for Ukraine
- Zelensky warned about potential diversion of Western weapons to the Middle East
The UAE and Ukraine agreed to cooperate in security and defence after a meeting between Zelensky and President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. According to Reuters, Zelenskiy said on Telegram that their teams will finalise the details. The Emirati state news agency WAM reported that the two leaders discussed opportunities to advance bilateral cooperation under the Comprehensive Economic Agreement.
The defence agreement with Qatar, signed during Zelensky's visit to Doha, includes the exchange of expertise in countering missiles and unmanned aerial systems. According to Al Jazeera, the agreement was made in the presence of Qatari Armed Forces Lieutenant General Jassim bin Mohammed Al Mannai and Ukrainian Chief of Staff Andrii Hnatov.
Zelensky hopes to draw support from Gulf nations amid uncertainty over Western military aid. Ukraine has offered its air-defence expertise and drone technology to countries in the region, with more than 200 Ukrainian military experts dispatched to advise on intercepting drone attacks. The agreements also focus on securing energy and fuel supplies for Ukraine.
According to Los Angeles Times, Zelensky has already signed 10-year security agreements with Saudi Arabia and Qatar and expects to soon finalize a similar agreement with the UAE. Ukraine, now one of the world's leading producers of battle-tested drone interceptors, seeks high-end air-defense missiles from Gulf nations in exchange for its aid. The agreements include joint defense industry projects, coproduction facilities, and technological partnerships between companies.
Zelensky emphasized that Ukraine is offering 'combat-tested' expertise to Gulf Arab partners. He also addressed concerns about potential diversions of Western weapons meant for Ukraine to the Middle East, stating that Kyiv has received no such signals from the U.S. The agreements come as Russia continues its drone attacks on Ukrainian cities, underscoring the urgency of securing advanced air-defense systems.
In an interview with Fox News, Zelenskyy detailed how Ukraine’s battlefield innovations, particularly its anti-Russian drone systems, are influencing defense partnerships worldwide. He emphasized that Ukraine is sharing elements of its counter-drone technology system with at least four Persian Gulf nations—UAE, Qatar, Jordan, and Saudi Arabia—to help them confront growing threats from Iran’s drone capabilities.
Zelenskyy also warned about the potential diversion of Western weapons meant for Ukraine to the Middle East due to escalating tensions with Iran. He claimed Russia is sharing drone technology and battlefield tactics with Iran, which could prolong instability in the region and divert U.S. attention away from Ukraine.
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