Zelensky visits Saudi Arabia, offering Ukraine’s drone expertise to Gulf nations amid security talks, energy concerns, and potential US arms realignment in response to Iran conflict, reports Asian Lite Newsdesk
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky arrived in Saudi Arabia on Thursday, signalling a deepening of Kyiv’s engagement with the Gulf region amid ongoing global security tensions. The visit follows Zelensky’s offer to share Ukraine’s drone technology and battlefield experience to enhance regional defence capabilities.
In a message shared on social media, Zelensky said he had “important meetings scheduled” and expressed gratitude to countries willing to cooperate on security matters. He emphasised that Ukraine’s support extends to partners aiming to safeguard strategic interests in the Gulf.
Earlier, the Ukrainian leader highlighted the importance of energy security and its impact on global markets. “This matters because energy security—and the cost of living, particularly in Europe—depends on Gulf oil, gas, and other resources,” he said in a video address to the Joint Expeditionary Force, a security alliance convening in Helsinki. Zelensky added that Ukraine’s experience with drones is not just technological, but operational, integrating unmanned systems with radar, aviation, and air defence platforms.
Zelensky’s outreach comes as the US considers reallocating arms originally intended for Ukraine to the Gulf, in response to the ongoing conflict with Iran. Media reports suggest that some of the Pentagon’s munitions are being diverted to address the escalating crisis in the Middle East, making Ukraine’s drone expertise even more strategically valuable.
During an interview with French daily Le Monde, Zelensky indicated that the visit was also aimed at securing support for Ukraine’s defence against Russia’s ongoing invasion. He called on Middle Eastern states to provide access to air defence systems, acknowledging that Ukraine faces shortages of certain advanced missiles. According to Zelensky, potential deals would help the country bolster its defensive capabilities while contributing to broader regional stability.
Observers note that Ukraine’s drone technology has been a key component of its military strategy, providing both reconnaissance and strike capabilities in ongoing operations against Russian forces. By offering this expertise to Gulf nations, Zelensky seeks to build partnerships that could benefit both Ukraine and the region.
In Washington, President Donald Trump commented on reports regarding US arms being diverted from Ukraine to the Gulf. “We do that all the time. Sometimes we take from one, and we use for another,” Trump said, underscoring the flexibility of American military logistics in responding to global crises.
