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Ukraine's Zelenskiy Says Middle East Visit a Success, Announces Accords
Published by Global Banking & Finance Review®
Posted on March 30, 2026
2 min readLast updated: March 30, 2026
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Ukrainian President Zelenskiy’s March 2026 Middle East tour secured long‑term, 10‑year security cooperation agreements with Saudi Arabia and Qatar, with a similar pact expected with the UAE, while Ukraine offered its drone‑defense expertise and discussed diesel and energy supplies.
Zelenskiy Announces Landmark Ukraine-Middle East Security Cooperation Accords
Ukraine's Strategic Security Partnerships with the Middle East
Overview of Zelenskiy's Middle East Tour
March 30 (Reuters) - Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy pronounced his tour of Middle Eastern countries a success on Monday and said a number of security cooperation accords had been clinched or were under discussion.
Zelenskiy embarked on a tour of the region to offer Ukrainian expertise on how to counter attacks from drones fired by Iran in its conflict with the United States and Israel, which has spread across the Middle East.
Ukrainian Expertise in Defense and Drone Warfare
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.
Security Agreements with Key Middle Eastern Nations
Speaking in his nightly video address after his return to Kyiv, Zelenskiy said "historic" security agreements had been reached with Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Qatar.
Ukraine, he said, was also working with Jordan and Kuwait and two other countries - Bahrain and Oman - had also expressed interest.
Significance of the Accords for Ukraine
"For Ukraine, this is not only about prestige and respect for our people," Zelenskiy said.
"This is a very concrete and practical matter. We are exporting our defence system, the skills of our warriors and the knowledge our state possesses."
Areas of Security Cooperation
He said Ukraine expected "corresponding security cooperation", which included discussions on air defence, development of defence production and energy cooperation.
Zelenskiy has stressed that arms sales must be decided at the government level, warning businesses against engaging with clients directly.
Economic and Regional Impact
Energy and Agriculture Discussions
During the tour, the president said he had discussed the region's supplies of diesel, vital for Ukraine's defence needs and the agriculture sector.
Regional Reception and Shared Priorities
In his address, Zelenskiy said 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 said.
(Reporting by Ron Popeski and Oleksandr Kozhukhar; Editing by Nia Williams)
Key Takeaways
- •Ukraine signed 10‑year defense and security cooperation agreements with Saudi Arabia and Qatar, and is finalizing one with the UAE (apnews.com).
- •The agreements focus on Ukraine’s combat‑tested drone‑interceptor technology, air‑defense expertise, joint production and energy cooperation (apnews.com).
- •During the tour, Zelenskiy also addressed Ukraine’s fuel needs—especially diesel—amid Middle East‑driven price spikes, seeking to secure supplies to sustain agriculture and defense (bssnews.net).
References
Frequently Asked Questions about Ukraine's Zelenskiy says Middle East visit a success, announces accords
1Which Middle Eastern countries reached security accords with Ukraine?
Ukraine reached security cooperation agreements with Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Qatar, with discussions ongoing with Jordan and Kuwait. Bahrain and Oman have also shown interest.
2What expertise is Ukraine offering Middle Eastern countries?
Ukraine is offering expertise on countering Iranian drone attacks, defense system exports, and sharing knowledge gained from its war against Russia.
3What is the focus of the cooperation between Ukraine and Middle Eastern countries?
The cooperation focuses on air defense, development of defense production, energy cooperation, and security.
4Why is diesel supply discussed in the Ukraine-Middle East talks?
Diesel supplies are vital for Ukraine's defense needs and agriculture sector and were a key topic in discussions during the tour.
5How does Ukraine view its cooperation with the Middle East?
Ukraine sees cooperation as both a matter of national prestige and practical support, exporting defense skills and seeking mutual security benefits.
