The President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelensky, carried out a tour of the Middle East from March 26 to 29, reaching agreements on military cooperation with several key states in the region. These include agreements with Saudi Arabia and Qatar, the preparation of a similar document with the United Arab Emirates, as well as cooperation with Jordan. The texts of the agreements have not been published. According to official statements, they primarily concern the exchange of experience in counter-drone warfare, potential investments in Ukraine’s defense industry, and energy supplies to Ukraine.
Ukraine’s experience in countering drones is of particular interest to regional countries amid attacks carried out by Iran. The “Shahed”-type drones it uses are technologically similar to those employed by Russia against Ukraine (under the name “Geran”). This makes Ukrainian solutions directly applicable to protecting critical infrastructure in Gulf countries.
As noted by The Wall Street Journal, during his visits Zelensky emphasized that Ukraine and Middle Eastern countries are effectively facing a common threat. According to him, Russia and Iran act as allies, and Russian structures may be providing Tehran with intelligence on critical energy infrastructure in the region, including oil and gas fields, processing facilities, and logistical hubs.
Zelensky’s tour reflects a gradual shift in the position of regional countries regarding the Russia-Ukraine war. Previously, they maintained a neutral stance and acted as mediators. The United Arab Emirates served as a platform for negotiations, including prisoner exchanges, while Mohammed bin Salman organized the first direct contacts between Russia and the United States in February 2025 since the start of the full-scale conflict.
However, amid rising tensions around Iran, regional states are now facing new risks. Despite the presence of U.S. military bases and formal security guarantees, they have proven vulnerable to drone and missile attacks.
In this context, Ukraine’s experience has become highly sought after. Even the Pentagon acknowledges that Ukraine has become one of the global leaders in “drone warfare.” Unlike Gulf countries, which rely on expensive missiles or aircraft to intercept drones, Ukraine has developed more cost-effective and flexible countermeasures.
During Zelensky’s visit, Iranian state media circulated reports claiming that Ukrainian specialists had been killed in a strike on a military facility in Dubai. Kyiv denied these reports. At the same time, Zelensky previously stated that more than 200 Ukrainian air defense specialists are already working abroad, helping other countries build drone defense systems.
The visits were conducted without public press conferences, and comments from host leaders remained restrained. Neither Mohammed bin Salman, nor Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, nor Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, nor Abdullah IImade statements about the Russia-Ukraine war. All limited themselves to references to “regional security” and “the development of cooperation.”
Middle Eastern countries are thus ready to expand cooperation with Ukraine while avoiding any deterioration in their relations with Russia. All of them maintain economic ties with Moscow, particularly in the energy sector.
