RIYADH (MNN); Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky arrived in Saudi Arabia on Thursday on an unannounced visit, as the ongoing conflict involving Iran drives Gulf interest in Ukraine’s military technology.
According to a senior official, Ukraine and Saudi Arabia are expected to sign an agreement on security cooperation, particularly focused on air defence and protection of airspace.
Kyiv is seeking to utilise its experience in countering drone attacks, especially against Iranian-designed Shahed drones used by Russia in the war with Ukraine. Gulf countries are facing similar threats amid escalating regional tensions.
Zelensky stated that more than 200 Ukrainian anti-drone specialists have been deployed across the Middle East, including Saudi Arabia, following retaliatory drone and missile attacks after US-Israel strikes on Iran.
In a post on X, Zelensky confirmed his arrival and noted that key meetings were scheduled, sharing footage of his interaction with a regional official in Jeddah.
Ukraine is promoting its cost-effective defence systems, including drone interceptors, electronic jamming tools, and anti-aircraft guns, as efficient solutions against aerial threats.
Kyiv has proposed exchanging its relatively inexpensive interceptors for advanced air-defence missiles currently used by Gulf states, arguing it requires more resources to counter ongoing Russian missile attacks.
Last year, Saudi Arabia hosted talks involving US officials and delegations from Ukraine and Russia in efforts to end the conflict that began after Moscow’s invasion in 2022.
