Ukraine Signs Defense Cooperation Agreements with Qatar and UAE
Ukraine signed a defense cooperation agreement with Qatar on Saturday and another was announced with the United Arab Emirates, as Kiev seeks to leverage its expertise in drone destruction amid the Middle East conflict.
Volodymyr Zelensky, who made a series of surprise visits to the region, had signed a cooperation agreement with Saudi Arabia on Thursday, as Gulf countries face Iranian drones and missiles launched in retaliation to American-Israeli strikes against Iran since February 28.
“A ten-year cooperation”
Kyiv deployed anti-drone experts in the three visited countries during its diplomatic tour. “We are talking about a ten-year cooperation. We have already signed an agreement with Saudi Arabia in this regard, we have just signed a similar agreement with Qatar, also for ten years, and we will sign one with the UAE,” said the Ukrainian president during an online press conference with journalists.
“During these ten years, we will engage in coproduction, building factories in both countries – with production lines in Ukraine as well as in these countries,” he added.
On the other hand, Qatar’s defense ministry specified in a statement that the agreement with Ukraine “includes cooperation in technological domains, the development of joint investments, and the exchange of expertise in combating missiles and unmanned aerial systems.”
Since the beginning of the conflict in the region, Ukrainian drone manufacturers have been flooded with requests from the Middle East, with Kiev becoming one of the most advanced drone production centers since the 2022 Russian invasion.
“Ukraine has undoubtedly changed the geopolitical situation,” Zelensky stated, adding that “certainly, no one else can help in this way today, with such expertise.”
“Billions” for exporters
Following meetings in Saudi Arabia on Thursday, Zelensky met with the UAE President Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, stating on social media that the two leaders “agreed to cooperate in the field of security and defense. Our teams will finalize the details.”
He then told journalists that “strategic contracts of ten years” concluded with three Middle Eastern countries represented “billions.” “I won’t reveal the exact figure, but we are talking about billions, not millions, precisely billions for our exporters: everyone will benefit, Ukraine will benefit, we will not lose, because we will ensure that our soldiers have enough,” Zelensky said.
Kiev stands as a reference
Ukraine presents its anti-drone defenses as the best in the world. The country has offered to swap its drone interceptors for much more expensive anti-aircraft defense missiles, which Gulf countries use to shoot down Iranian drones.
Kiev claims it needs more of these missiles to counter Russia’s almost daily missile strikes, which have been targeting Ukraine since early 2022.
In the United Arab Emirates and Qatar, Volodymyr Zelensky also met with Ukrainian anti-drone experts, who “are working here to contribute to saving lives.” “Today, Ukraine not only needs help but is also ready to support those who support us,” he said.
