Zelenskyy discusses security and mutual support with leaders of four countries during Middle East visit
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy made working visits to Middle Eastern states and held negotiations with the leaders of Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, and Jordan on the topic of security and mutual support, according to the website of the head of state on Monday.
Zelenskyy arrived in Jeddah on March 27, where he met with Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud and discussed steps to strengthen both countries. "Before the meeting, an agreement was signed between the defense ministries of the two countries on defense cooperation. The document lays the foundation for future contracts, technological cooperation, and investment, and strengthens Ukraine’s role as a security donor," the report says.
On March 28, the President of Ukraine arrived in Abu Dhabi, where he met with President of the United Arab Emirates Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and discussed joint work to protect lives and possible steps for effective response to existing challenges. "The presidents of Ukraine and the UAE agreed on cooperation in the field of security and defense. Teams are finalizing the details of the agreements," the website of the head of the Ukrainian state reported.
On March 29, Zelenskyy arrived in Doha, where he met with the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani. Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani was also present at the meeting. "The chiefs of the general staff of Ukraine and Qatar signed a ten-year intergovernmental agreement on cooperation in the defense sphere. The agreement provides for joint projects in the defense industry, the creation of co-production facilities, and technological partnerships between companies," the report says.
On March 29, the President arrived in Amman, where he held a meeting with King Abdullah II of Jordan and discussed a possible partnership in the security sphere and the general situation in the Middle East and the Gulf region.
According to the first deputy head of the Office of the President, Sergiy Kyslytsya, Zelenskyy is raising the issue of partnerships for years to come, not only in the defense but also in the energy sphere. "For example, we have some of the deepest underground gas storage facilities. I also think we will have more understanding at international platforms. The countries of this region will always remember the help provided to them and the fact that President Volodymyr Zelenskyy was perhaps the first to visit them during the war," he said.
Zelenskyy instructed the Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine, Rustem Umerov, to remain in the Middle East and the Persian Gulf region to finalize agreements with partners.
"During the visit of the head of state, we signed important agreements in the sphere of security and defense cooperation. I will continue to work in the region to coordinate the implementation of the reached agreements. This refers to the practical deployment of security solutions, specifically in the field of countering aerial threats, as well as the further synchronization of work with partners at the level of military and technical teams," Umerov explained.
