Zelensky visits United Arab Emirates, Qatar to discuss drone defense

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky made surprise visits Saturday to the United Arab Emirates and Qatar, as Kyiv looks to leverage its advanced drone capabilities to help Gulf Arab states defend against Iranian attacks amid the broader Middle East conflict.

Zelenskyy said Ukraine has already signed 10-year security agreements with Saudi Arabia and Qatar and expects to finalize a similar deal with the UAE in the near future.

According to the Associated Press, Ukraine has quickly emerged as a leading producer of drone interceptors that are both low-cost and effective. The systems have played a critcal role in Ukraine’s defense against Russia’s full-scale invasion, which began on February 24, 2022.

In exchange for its assistance to Gulf partners, Ukraine is seeking additional high-end air defense missiles, which Kyiv needs to counter ongoing Russian attacks. 

Zelenskyy said last week that Ukraine is also exploring a potential role in bolstering security in the Strait of Hormuz.