Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Ukraine and Saudi Arabia have signed an agreement on defence cooperation that lays the foundation for future contracts, technological cooperation and investments, President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said on Friday. The agreement was signed ahead of his meeting with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
Agreement and aims of visit
Zelenskiy made an unannounced visit to the Gulf as he seeks to bolster support for Ukraine in its war against Russia, now in its fifth year. He said on Telegram that Ukraine was ready to share its expertise and systems with Saudi Arabia and work together to strengthen the protection of lives.
Zelenskiy also said Saudi Arabia had capabilities of interest to Ukraine and that the cooperation could be mutually beneficial.
Concerns over U.S. military supplies
Zelenskiy’s trip comes as the war with Iran raises uncertainty over whether Washington will restrict military supplies. The Washington Post reported on Thursday that the United States was weighing redirecting weapons supplies intended for Ukraine to the Middle East as the conflict with Iran strains American munitions stocks.
Ukraine’s regional assistance and expectations
This month, Kyiv sent more than 220 Ukrainian experts to advise several Middle East countries on how to intercept drone attacks that have damaged energy infrastructure across the region. Zelenskiy said Ukraine wanted money and technology in return for providing military assistance to countries in the region.
Meeting with Ukrainian experts
Zelenskiy met a group of the Ukrainian military experts in Saudi Arabia, according to a video shared by his office on Friday. In the video, a representative of the Ukrainian General Staff said the group consisted of air defence experts and SBU security service officials.
What impact could this defence cooperation agreement have on Ukraine’s partnerships in the Middle East?