Zelensky Visits Saudi Arabia, Offers Drone Technology to Secure Global Energy Supplies
President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelensky, arrived in Saudi Arabia on Thursday local time for a series of strategic meetings. This visit carries a special mission: to offer Ukraine’s expertise in drone technology to strengthen security in the Gulf region, while securing defence assistance for his country.
In a social media message, Zelensky emphasised the importance of this security collaboration. “Important meetings have been scheduled. We appreciate the support from those ready to work with us to ensure security, and we also support them,” he wrote.
Zelensky explained that Ukraine’s combat experience in integrating drones with radar and air defence systems could provide solutions for global security, particularly in the Middle East. According to him, stability in the Gulf region directly impacts living costs in Europe.
“This is important because energy security, and living costs, particularly in Europe, depend on their oil, gas, and other resources, as well as a stable global market,” Zelensky stated in a video message to the Joint Expeditionary Force in Helsinki.
He stressed that Ukraine is not only offering devices but also real field experience. “The key is not just producing new weapons, especially drones, not just technology, but also real experience in using them, and integrating them with radar, aviation, and other air defence systems. We have this experience,” he asserted.
In exchange for this technology transfer, Zelensky hopes that Middle Eastern countries can help strengthen Ukraine’s defences against the Russian invasion, particularly in providing air defence missiles.
“We want Middle Eastern countries to also give us the opportunity to strengthen ourselves. They have certain air defence missiles that we do not have in sufficient quantities. That is what we want to agree on,” Zelensky revealed in an interview with the French newspaper, Le Monde.
Several Ukrainian drone companies, such as Kvertus and TAF Industries, claim to have been approached by Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar, and the UAE. However, they are still awaiting approval from the Kyiv government due to concerns over political and national security coordination.
This visit becomes increasingly crucial amid reports that the United States is considering diverting arms aid originally intended for Ukraine to the Gulf region due to conflicts with Iran.
Responding to a Washington Post report on the potential diversion of critical ammunition, President Donald Trump did not deny it. “We do that all the time. Sometimes we take from one side, and we use it for the other side,” Trump said on Thursday. (BBC/Z-2)