Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced his country has signed a defense cooperation agreement with Saudi Arabia. The pact comes a day after Zelensky made what was considered a surprise visit to the Middle Eastern country on a bifurcated geopolitical mission. Zelensky’s visit sought to augment support for his country’s war with Russia, and while also imparting Ukrainian expertise on drone defenses amid the war between the United States, Israel, and Iran.
“We have reached an important Arrangement between the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine and the Ministry of Defense of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia on defense cooperation,” Zelensky announced on X.
He briefly elaborated on what the pact entailed and that it was mutually beneficial, drawing parallels between the current military conflict in Iran and his own with Russia. Zelensky noted that the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia, Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud, signed the defense cooperation agreement and that, in addition to strategic efforts, the accord enhanced his country’s “international role as a donor.”
“It lays the foundation for future contracts, technological cooperation, and investment,” Zelensky said. “It also strengthens Ukraine’s international role as a security donor.”
“We are ready to share our expertise and systems with Saudi Arabia and to work together to strengthen the protection of lives,” said Zelensky. “Now into the fifth year, Ukrainians are resisting the same kind of terrorist attacks – ballistic missiles and drones – that the Iranian regime is currently carrying out in the Middle East and the Gulf region. Saudi Arabia also has capabilities that are of interest to Ukraine, and this cooperation can be mutually beneficial.”
“We also discussed the situation in the Middle East and the Gulf region as a whole, Russia’s assistance to the Iranian regime, developments in fuel markets, and potential energy cooperation,” Zelensky said.
As the Washington Examiner previously reported, Zelensky said that over 230 Ukrainian drone experts were scheduled to arrive in the Middle East to help with combat strategies. He posted about the progress made in air defense coordination.
ZELENSKY VISITS SAUDI ARABIA TO SHORE UP DRONE DEFENSE EXCHANGE
“The main task of our air defense experts in this region is to identify challenges and determine what changes are needed to strengthen the protection of people and lives from Iranian ‘shaheds’ and missiles,” Zelensky said.
“Ukraine’s expertise is unique, and recognized as such, and that is why everyone is so interested in our technologies and experience,” Zelensky said in a post on X.
“We discussed the key elements needed to strengthen Saudi Arabia’s air defense capabilities. This concerns, above all, approaches to shooting down drones. Ukraine is ready for long-term and mutually beneficial cooperation,” he added.
