Volodymyr Zelenskyy has secured new defence cooperation agreements with United Arab Emirates and Qatar as part of a strategic Gulf tour aimed at strengthening regional security ties and expanding Ukraine’s defence partnerships.
The agreements focus largely on air defence collaboration, particularly in countering missile threats and unmanned aerial systems, as Gulf nations face growing regional security concerns linked to drone activity and missile attacks.
According to a statement from Ministry of Defence of Qatar, the deal signed with Ukraine covers technological cooperation, joint investments, and the exchange of expertise in missile interception and anti-drone systems.
“The agreement includes collaboration in technological fields, development of joint investments, and the exchange of expertise in countering missiles and unmanned aerial systems,” the ministry said.
Ukraine has not yet publicly detailed the full scope of the agreements signed during the tour.
UAE Defence Talks Advance
Earlier during the trip, Zelensky held talks in the UAE with Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, where both sides agreed to deepen cooperation in security and defence.
“We agreed to cooperate in the field of security and defence. Our teams will finalise the details,” Zelensky said in a social media post.
He stressed that modern security threats require broader international collaboration and noted that Ukraine’s battlefield experience has positioned it as a valuable defence partner.
“For all normal states, it is important to ensure stability and protect lives amid today’s threats. Ukraine has relevant expertise in this area.”
Saudi Arabia Also Signs Defence Deal
Before arriving in the UAE and Qatar, Zelensky visited Saudi Arabia, where Ukraine also concluded an air defence cooperation agreement, according to senior officials familiar with the discussions.
The diplomatic outreach reflects Kyiv’s effort to leverage its advanced anti-drone capabilities developed during the war with Russia.
Ukraine has increasingly promoted its experience in intercepting drones and missiles, describing its anti-drone defence systems as among the most battle-tested globally.
Ukraine Offers Anti-Drone Expertise to Gulf Allies
As part of the regional engagement, Ukrainian anti-drone specialists have reportedly been deployed to all three Gulf countries visited by Zelensky to support local defence preparedness.
In the UAE, the Ukrainian president met with some of the specialists already working there.
“Today, Ukraine not only needs assistance but is also ready to support those who support us,” Zelensky said.
Kyiv is also proposing broader defence exchanges, including the possible use of Ukrainian interceptors alongside more expensive missile defence systems currently deployed by Gulf states.
According to Zelensky, long-term cooperation in this area could significantly strengthen civilian protection and regional stability.
“Protection must be sufficient everywhere. That is why we are open to joint work that, in a strategic perspective, will strengthen our peoples and the protection of life in our countries.”
The agreements come as Ukraine continues to seek stronger international defence partnerships while confronting near-daily missile and drone attacks linked to the ongoing war.
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