Reuters: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has described his recent Middle East tour as a success, revealing that several security cooperation agreements have been finalized or are currently under discussion with regional partners.
During his visit, Zelenskyy held key meetings, including with Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani in Doha, as part of a broader effort to strengthen defence and strategic ties across the region.
The Ukrainian leader said “historic” agreements were reached with countries such as Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, and Qatar. He added that cooperation is also being expanded with Jordan and Kuwait, while Bahrain and Oman have shown interest in future collaboration.
Zelenskyy’s tour focused on offering Ukraine’s battlefield expertise, particularly in countering drone warfare, drawing from its ongoing conflict with Russia, where Iranian-designed drones have been widely used since the 2022 invasion. He emphasized that Ukraine is prepared to export its defence systems, military expertise, and operational knowledge, while seeking reciprocal security cooperation. Talks reportedly covered air defence systems, joint defence production, and energy partnerships.
The Ukrainian president also highlighted discussions on securing diesel supplies from the region—critical for Ukraine’s military operations and agricultural sector.
Zelenskyy noted a strong sense of respect and willingness among Middle Eastern nations to collaborate with Ukraine, stressing that shared priorities include strengthening security and restoring regional stability.
