Zelensky brings drone expertise to Arab states

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Saturday made unannounced visits to the United Arab Emirates and Qatar, as Ukraine seeks to use its drone expertise to help gulf Arab states blunt Iran’s attacks during the war in the Middle East.

- BY VOLODYMYR YURCHUK

UKRAINIAN President Volodymyr Zelensky meets with Qatari leaders in Doha.

(Presidential Office of Ukraine)

Zelensky said that Ukraine has already signed 10-year security agreements with Saudi Arabia and Qatar and expected to soon finalize a similar agreement with the UAE.

Ukraine has quickly grown into one of the world’s leading producers of cutting-edge, battle-tested drone interceptors that are cheap and effective. They are playing a key part in its defense against Russia’s full-scale invasion that began more than four years ago.

In return for its aid to Persian Gulf countries, Ukraine is seeking more high-end air defense missiles that they possess and that Kyiv needs to counter Russia’s attacks. Zelensky visited Saudi Arabia on Thursday, and he said earlier this month that Ukraine is looking into whether it can play a role in restoring security in the Strait of Hormuz.

On Saturday, Zelensky and Emirati state media reported on a meeting between the Ukrainian president and his Emirati counterpart, Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed al-Nahyan, to discuss regional security amid the Iran war.

Zelensky later posted on X to say that he had moved on to Doha and met with Qatari leaders, including with the ruling emir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, and Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani.

The Ukrainian and Qatari ministers of defense signed cooperation agreements in the defense sector and defense investments, according to the Qatar Ministry of Defense.

"Real security is built on partnership — we value everyone and remain open to supporting all those who are ready to work together for this goal," Zelensky wrote alongside a video of himself exiting a plane in Qatar.