Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said on Thursday that he had arrived in Saudi Arabia and would hold "important meetings", part of an effort to bolster ties with Middle East countries amid the Iran war.
Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskiy meets Deputy Governor of Makkah Region Prince Saud bin Mishaal bin Abdulaziz during his visit to Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, March 26, 2026. Ukrainian Presidential Press Service
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said on Thursday that he had arrived in Saudi Arabia and would hold "important meetings", part of an effort to bolster ties with Middle East countries amid the Iran war.
Kyiv is offering its air-defence expertise and drone technology to countries in the region reeling from Iranian strikes. It hopes in return, Zelenskiy has said, for support in its war against Russia.
"Arrived in Saudi Arabia. Important meetings are scheduled. We appreciate the support and support those who are ready to work with us to ensure security," Zelenskiy wrote on X.
Rustem Umerov, the head of Ukraine's National Security and Defence Council, accompanied Zelenskiy on the visit.
Ukraine has sent teams of experts to Qatar, the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia, Zelenskiy said recently, and wants money and technology in return for the assistance.
With the war against Russia now in its fifth year, Ukrainian forces face a new spring offensive by Moscow as U.S.-backed peace talks have stalled.
Reporting by Yuliia Dysa
Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Pakistan agreed to establish a secretariat in Saudi Arabia under their Mecca joint defence agreement, which will initially be headed by a Pakistani secretary-general for three years, the three countries said in a joint statement on Monday.
Top officials from Turkey, Saudi Arabia and Pakistan will gather in Istanbul on Monday for a first committee meeting under the joint defence accord that they signed this month, a Turkish foreign ministry source said.
An air defence system operated by Greek military personnel in Saudi Arabia intercepted a swarm of drones on Thursday in the wider Yanbu region, home to major oil refining facilities, Greek security sources told Reuters.
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