Ukraine inks major defence export partnerships with Gulf states

Ukraine has signed a series of air defence and production agreements with Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Qatar, strengthening its role on the international stage.  

According to Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky on 30 March, Ukraine will export its “system[s] of protection” and the “skills of our warriors” as part of the agreements.  

Together the countries will also work on the joint development of defence equipment and cooperate on energy production, including “diesel and other critical supplies that we need right now.” 

According to Reuters, Zelensky told journalists in an online briefing that the agreements with the three nations would last for 10-years.  

During the briefing, Zelensky said Ukraine’s “experts”, tasked with “protecting the sky in the region”, were working to identify what problems and changes must be addressed to shield the region from Iran’s Shahed drones and missiles. 

Mutual benefit

A post on Zelensky’s official Telegram channel stated that the agreement with Saudi Arabia aimed to lay the foundation for “further contracts, technological cooperation and investments, and strengthens Ukraine’s international role as a security donor.” 

According to Zelensky, Bahrain and Oman have also requested support, and Ukraine is also working with Jordan and Kuwait. 

Rustem Umerov, Ukraine’s National Security and Defence Council Secretary, was in the region continuing “political-level negotiations,” Zelensky added. 

Global procurement 

Ukraine’s diplomatic outreach to the Gulf States comes as it works to procure key components for the country’s air defence systems, including anti-ballistic missile components.  

The president stated this was a “global goal”, and that Ukraine was in further dialogue with European partners about agreements reached in the Middle East.