Zelenskyy Inks Air Defence Agreements with UAE and Qatar During Gulf Tour
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has signed significant air defence agreements with the United Arab Emirates and Qatar as part of his diplomatic tour of the Gulf region. These pasts aim to enhance cooperation in countering threats from missiles and drones, according to statements from Qatar's Ministry of Defence.
Details of the Defence Agreements
The agreement with Qatar was formalized during Zelenskyy's visit to Doha over the weekend, following an earlier stop in the UAE. Qatar's Defence Ministry highlighted that the pact includes collaboration in technological fields, joint investment development, and the exchange of expertise to counter missiles and unmanned aerial systems. This move comes as Iran continues to launch attacks in the Gulf, targeting what it claims are US assets, though Gulf nations express concerns over civilian safety.
During the meetings in Doha, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State for Defence Affairs Sheikh Saoud bin Abdulrahman bin Hassan Al Thani met with Ukraine's Secretary of the National Security and Defence Council Rustem Umerov and Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Andrii Hnatov. The defence agreement was signed by Qatari Armed Forces Lieutenant General Jassim bin Mohammed Al Mannai and Hnatov, with other officials in attendance.
Ukraine's Expertise and Strategic Interests
Kyiv has sought to leverage its extensive experience in downing Russian drones to assist Gulf nations. Ukraine has deployed 201 anti-drone experts to the Middle East, as announced by Zelenskyy on March 18. The country has become a leading producer of sophisticated, battlefield-proven drone interceptors due to ongoing attacks from Russia, which has used hundreds of thousands of Iranian drones since the full-scale invasion began in 2022.
Al Jazeera's Dmitry Medvedenko, reporting from Doha, noted that Ukraine offers a cost-effective solution for countering Iranian drones. While Gulf countries have primarily used Patriot and THAAD missiles, each costing nearly $4 million, Ukraine's expertise allows for downing drones at about $2,000 each. Kyiv has proposed swapping its interceptors for the more expensive air-defence missiles used by Gulf nations, as Ukraine requires additional resources to fend off near-daily Russian missile attacks.
Broader Context and Implications
Zelenskyy's Gulf tour also included a defence cooperation agreement with Saudi Arabia, signed last Thursday. These agreements reflect Ukraine's strategic efforts to secure funding and resources amid its conflict with Russia. Medvedenko suggested that Ukraine is primarily interested in funding, as the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran is depleting Patriot missile stocks, which could impact Ukraine's own supplies.
The defence pacts underscore the growing geopolitical tensions in the Gulf, with Iran's actions straining relations with neighbouring countries. Ukraine's involvement highlights its role as a key player in global security dynamics, offering practical solutions to regional threats while advancing its national interests.
