Ukraine, Saudi Arabia Advanced Defense Ties

TDT | Manama

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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky held high-level talks with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman on Friday during a visit aimed at strengthening Kyiv’s partnerships in the Middle East.

Zelensky said the discussions focused on expanding bilateral cooperation in key sectors, including security, energy, and infrastructure, as Ukraine continues to broaden its diplomatic and strategic outreach.

The visit followed a previous meeting between the two leaders in Jeddah on March 27, where Ukraine and Saudi Arabia agreed to cooperate on air defense technologies.

In recent months, Ukraine has sought to deepen ties with Gulf nations, particularly in countering drone threats. Kyiv has leveraged its battlefield experience against Iranian-designed drones used by Russian forces, offering expertise in anti-drone systems and defense strategies.

The growing cooperation unfolded amid heightened regional tensions, with Saudi Arabia and neighboring countries facing missile and drone attacks during the recent U.S.-Iran tensions, which are under a fragile ceasefire.

Zelensky’s trip followed his participation in a European Union summit in Cyprus, where he sought to reinforce support from European allies. On April 23, the European Union approved a €90 billion ($106 billion) loan package for Ukraine and introduced its 20th round of sanctions against Russia.