Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy arrived in Saudi Arabia on March 26 for meetings with Gulf leaders, aimed at deepening security cooperation and regional stability.
The visit comes as Ukraine engages with several Middle Eastern countries, including Saudi Arabia, Qatar, the UAE, Bahrain, Jordan, and Kuwait, on air defense and military cooperation, amid ongoing attacks from Iran.
In a post on Telegram, Zelenskyy emphasized Ukraine’s commitment to working with partners “ready to collaborate for security.”
Current air defenses aren't enough – Ukraine says it can fill the gap
Earlier, he told Le Monde that Ukraine has already begun working with some partners, sending expert teams to assess local air defense systems and share operational experience.
Zelenskyy noted that while Patriot, THAAD, and other missile defense systems are in place, they are not enough to fully counter dense drone attacks – like what Ukraine faces regularly. He stressed the need for modern interceptors combined with practical operational expertise to create effective integrated defenses.
Ukraine can supply systems and training – but needs funding to expand production
Zelenskyy also highlighted that Ukraine can supply some of its own air defense systems and technical knowledge, but expanding production requires additional funding. Surplus Ukrainian systems could be provided to partners along with training, as drones are only effective when used within fully integrated networks.
He underlined that financial support is key to sustaining Ukraine’s drone production while strengthening allied defenses.
Zelenskyy frames Gulf cooperation as a European security issue
Speaking at the Joint Expeditionary Force (JEF) Summit in Helsinki the same day, Zelenskyy framed Ukraine’s engagement in the Gulf as a contribution to global security and energy stability.
He noted that Europe depends on reliable oil, gas, and other resources from the region, and argued that coordinated defense planning between Ukraine, JEF members, and European states is critical.
This includes not only technology and weapons production, particularly drones, but also integrating operational experience with radar, aviation, and other air defense systems to provide real-world protection on land, in the air, and at sea.
Zelenskyy concluded that combining Ukraine’s expertise with partners’ industrial and financial resources could significantly enhance regional security.
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