Ukraine’s Zelensky says Middle East visit a success, announces security accords

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky pronounces his tour of Middle Eastern countries a success and says a number of security cooperation accords have been clinched or are under discussion.

Zelensky embarked on a tour of the region to offer Ukrainian expertise on how to counter attacks from drones fired by Iran in its war with the United States and Israel, which has spread across the Middle East.

He has promoted Ukrainian know-how acquired in its four-year-long war against Russia, which has long deployed Iranian-designed drones to strike Ukraine since Moscow’s February 2022 invasion.

Speaking in his nightly video address after his return to Kyiv, Zelensky says “historic” security agreements have been reached with Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Qatar.

Ukraine, he says, is also working with Jordan and Kuwait and adds that two other countries – Bahrain and Oman – have also expressed interest.

“For Ukraine, this is not only about prestige and respect for our people,” Zelensky says.

“This is a very concrete and practical matter. We are exporting our defense system, the skills of our warriors and the knowledge our state possesses.”

He says Ukraine expects “corresponding security cooperation,” which includes discussions on air defense, development of defense production and energy cooperation.

During the tour, the Ukrainian president says he discussed the region’s supplies of diesel, vital for Ukraine’s defense needs and the agriculture sector.

In his address, Zelensky says he found “great respect” for Ukraine in the Middle East and a “shared vision among the countries of the region” to work together with Ukrainian experts.

“Security and restoring stability are the top priorities for everyone,” he says.