Zelenskyy seals drone and missile defense pacts with Gulf states
Zelenskyy seals drone and missile defense pacts with Gulf states
Ukraine's president pushes defence deals with Qatar and Saudi Arabia, with UAE on the way, to counter missiles and drones amid Iran's aerial campaign.
Ukraine's president Volodymyr Zelenskyy is turning toward the Gulf to shore up defence ties, seeking to counter missiles and drones as the war drags on. He has signed agreements with Qatar and Saudi Arabia, with a follow-up deal with the United Arab Emirates expected, in a move Kyiv frames as essential for deterrence and regional security.
The visits come as Iran pushes an aerial campaign against its neighbours, prompting Kyiv to broaden security partnerships and share drone technology and battle-tested know-how. By leaning on Gulf partners, Ukraine aims to boost air-defence interoperability, joint drills, and potential technology transfers.
Analysts say the diplomacy signals a shift in arms and security markets, with Gulf states seeking diversified guarantees amid growing regional tensions while Ukraine looks to turn military leverage into diplomatic bargaining power.
Officials emphasise that the pacts focus on counter-missile and counter-drone capabilities, radar upgrades, and early-warning networks, with specifics kept under wraps but progress noted by participants.
While the terms remain confidential, observers say the collaboration could echo a broader realignment in regional security as Western arms supply dynamics adapt to new regional threats.
