Ukraine and Saudi Arabia sign document on defence cooperation, including sky protection

Ukraine's and Saudi Arabia's ministries of defence have reached an agreement on defence cooperation and have signed a corresponding document.

Source: President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on X (Twitter)

Quote: "We have reached an important Arrangement between the Ministry of Defence of Ukraine and the Ministry of Defence of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia on defence cooperation. The document was signed ahead of our meeting with the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia, Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud."

Details: Zelenskyy noted that the document lays the foundation for further contracts, technological cooperation, and investment, as well as strengthens Ukraine's international role as a security donor.

The statement also emphasises that Ukraine is ready to share its expertise in countering drones and missiles with Saudi Arabia.

Quote: "We are ready to share our expertise and systems with Saudi Arabia and to work together to strengthen the protection of lives. Now into the fifth year, Ukrainians are resisting the same kind of terrorist attacks – ballistic missiles and drones – that the Iranian regime is currently carrying out in the Middle East and the Gulf region. Saudi Arabia also has capabilities that are of interest to Ukraine, and this cooperation can be mutually beneficial."

More details: The parties also discussed the situation in the Middle East and the Gulf region, Russian assistance to the Iranian regime, the situation on fuel markets and possible energy cooperation.

Background:

• The day before, Volodymyr Zelenskyy reported that Ukraine had received requests from various countries, including Saudi Arabia, regarding interaction in the field of security and defence. The president also named the following countries: the US, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Jordan, and Kuwait. According to Zelnskyy, cooperation with some of these countries is already under way, with Ukrainian expert teams on the ground assessing the situation and sharing experience.
• Zelenskyy had also previously stated that Ukraine would be open to exchanging technologies and weapons with Middle Eastern countries, and could in particular share interceptor drones in exchange for PAC-2 and PAC-3 missiles for Patriot systems.

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