Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has secured defence agreements with Qatar and Saudi Arabia, with another expected from the United Arab Emirates, as part of a strategy to counter missile and drone threats. The deals, announced during a previously unannounced tour of Gulf nations, include a 10-year cooperation pact with Qatar signed on Saturday, following a similar agreement with Saudi Arabia earlier this week. Zelenskyy confirmed that a comparable deal with the UAE is forthcoming.
The agreements focus on sharing Ukraine's expertise in drone interceptors, which have proven effective in its defence against Russia's full-scale invasion. In return, Ukraine seeks high-end air-defence missiles from Gulf states to bolster its capabilities against Russian attacks. Zelenskyy emphasised that Ukraine aims for long-term systemic relationships, including joint production and investment, rather than simple sales.
Ukraine has rapidly become a leading producer of battle-tested drone interceptors, deploying over 200 military experts to the region. Zelenskyy noted that no other country possesses such operational experience. The deals come as Iran intensifies aerial campaigns against its neighbours, with Ukraine offering its expertise to help Gulf states counter these threats.
Meanwhile, Russian air attacks across Ukraine on Saturday killed at least four people and damaged critical infrastructure, including a port and a maternity hospital. Ukraine's military also struck a major Russian oil refinery in Yaroslavl, causing a fire at the site. Separately, Iran claimed it struck a Ukraine-related drone warehouse in Dubai, a claim Ukraine's foreign ministry dismissed as a lie.
