KYIV/DOHA: Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Saturday secured key defence cooperation agreements with Qatar and the United Arab Emirates, as Ukraine moves to deepen strategic partnerships amid escalating tensions across the Middle East.
According to a statement issued by Qatar’s defence ministry, Doha and Kyiv signed an agreement focused on defence collaboration, including the exchange of expertise in countering missile threats and unmanned aerial systems.
The agreement reflects Ukraine’s growing role as a security partner, drawing on its extensive experience in intercepting Russian drones and missile attacks since the start of the war with Russia.
Earlier in the week, President Zelenskiy visited the United Arab Emirates, where he held talks with UAE President Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. Both sides agreed to expand cooperation in security and defence, with technical teams tasked to finalise operational details.
“Our teams will finalise the details,” Zelenskiy said in a statement shared on Telegram following the discussions.
Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha had indicated that Kyiv was close to concluding multiple security agreements aimed at countering emerging threats, particularly those involving drone and missile warfare.
Regional Context and Strategic Timing
Zelenskiy’s Gulf tour comes at a time of heightened instability in the region, driven by the ongoing conflict involving the United States, Israel, and Iran.
The war has resulted in more than 2,000 fatalities, disrupted global markets, and triggered retaliatory strikes by Iran, including missile and drone attacks across the Gulf. The escalation has also led to significant disruptions in maritime traffic, with the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz effectively shut down.
Ukraine’s outreach to Gulf nations is widely seen as an effort to both share its battlefield expertise and strengthen international security cooperation in response to evolving threats.
Broader Diplomatic Engagement
Prior to his visits to Qatar and the UAE, Zelenskiy also travelled to Saudi Arabia, where Kyiv and Riyadh signed a separate defence cooperation agreement.
The series of engagements underscores Ukraine’s expanding diplomatic footprint beyond Europe, as it seeks to position itself as a key partner in global security and defence collaboration.
The agreements mark a significant step in Ukraine’s efforts to build strategic alliances, leveraging its wartime experience to contribute to regional and international stability.
