Ukraine securing historic 10-year strategic deals with Middle East nations – Zelenskyy
Ukraine is concluding cooperation agreements with Middle Eastern countries for at least 10 years, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said in response to journalists’ questions, hromadske’s correspondent reports.
The president called the agreements historic, noting that Ukraine had never had such cooperation with the Middle East region before.
Among the key areas of cooperation are the development of military technology (MilTech), anti-ballistic protection, and energy support, including diesel fuel supplies.
“These are historic agreements. We are negotiating strategic cooperation. We are talking about 10-year contracts,” Zelenskyy said. “This is mutual assistance: we are interested in anti-ballistic capabilities, where we have a deficit. We also face challenges related to diesel. The agreements that will be legally enshrined are very important. Ukraine has never had such agreements in this region.”
In recent days, the Ukrainian leader visited several Middle Eastern countries. In Saudi Arabia, he held talks with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud and signed a defense cooperation agreement that provides for technological collaboration and investment.
The president also visited the United Arab Emirates and Qatar. Earlier, he said that Saudi Arabia, as well as Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Jordan, Kuwait and the United States, had approached Ukraine seeking its air defense expertise.