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
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer discussed the ongoing conflict in the Middle East with Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman on Tuesday evening, a Downing Street spokesperson said.
Saudi Arabia's Riyadh region was struck by two ballistic missiles Monday, the Kingdom's Defense Ministry announced, as Iran simultaneously targeted the UAE and triggered emergency alerts in Bahrain on the war's 24th day.
Saudi Arabia ordered an Iranian diplomat and three members of his team to leave the country Saturday, as the Kingdom continues to absorb Iranian missile strikes launched in retaliation for the US-Israeli military campaign against Tehran.
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