Qatar, Ukraine sign defence deal as Zelensky pushes security cooperation in Gulf
ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Qatar and Ukraine on Saturday signed a defense agreement to cooperate on countering missile and drone threats, the Gulf state’s defense ministry said, following a visit by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, as the region faces continued attacks from Iran and its allied groups.
“The agreement includes collaboration in technological fields, development of joint investments and the exchange of expertise in countering missiles and unmanned aerial systems,” Qatar’s defense ministry said in a statement issued following Zelensky’s visit.
Earlier on Saturday, Zelensky said Ukraine had also agreed to expand defense cooperation with the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia, as Gulf countries face drone threats amid Iran’s retaliation for US-Israeli strikes. Kyiv has sought to leverage its experience in countering Russian drones to support regional partners.
In a post on X, Zelensky said he met with Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, discussing “issues that could further strengthen the protection of life in both countries,” adding that they agreed on a “mutually beneficial partnership in the defense sector for at least 10 years.”
The Ukrainian president visited Saudi Arabia on Thursday, where he met Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Ukrainian air defense experts deployed to help protect the Kingdom amid Iranian strikes. He later held talks in the UAE with President Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, saying “we agreed to cooperate in the field of security and defence. Our teams will finalise the details.”
“We are ready to share our expertise and systems with Saudi Arabia and to work together to strengthen the protection of lives,” Zelensky said.
“The agreement includes collaboration in technological fields, development of joint investments and the exchange of expertise in countering missiles and unmanned aerial systems,” Qatar’s defense ministry said in a statement issued following Zelensky’s visit.
Earlier on Saturday, Zelensky said Ukraine had also agreed to expand defense cooperation with the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia, as Gulf countries face drone threats amid Iran’s retaliation for US-Israeli strikes. Kyiv has sought to leverage its experience in countering Russian drones to support regional partners.
In a post on X, Zelensky said he met with Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, discussing “issues that could further strengthen the protection of life in both countries,” adding that they agreed on a “mutually beneficial partnership in the defense sector for at least 10 years.”
The Ukrainian president visited Saudi Arabia on Thursday, where he met Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Ukrainian air defense experts deployed to help protect the Kingdom amid Iranian strikes. He later held talks in the UAE with President Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, saying “we agreed to cooperate in the field of security and defence. Our teams will finalise the details.”
“We are ready to share our expertise and systems with Saudi Arabia and to work together to strengthen the protection of lives,” Zelensky said.