Zelensky in Saudi Arabia to sign landmark air defence accord

WEB DESK: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky arrived in Saudi Arabia on Thursday for an unannounced diplomatic mission aimed at bolstering Middle Eastern airspace against Iranian-manufactured threats.

The visit comes as the escalating conflict involving Iran heightens interest among Gulf states in Ukraine’s battle-tested arms technology.

According to a senior official speaking to AFP on the condition of anonymity, the two nations are expected to sign a comprehensive agreement on “security cooperation,” with a specific focus on the “protection of the skies.”

While the precise details of the accord remain confidential, the partnership signals a significant shift in regional security dynamics.

Combatting the shahed threat

Kyiv has actively sought to leverage its unique expertise in intercepting and neutralising Iranian-designed Shahed drones.

These loitering munitions, which Russia has used extensively to target Ukrainian infrastructure, are the same models frequently deployed against assets in the Gulf.

Zelensky has confirmed that more than 200 Ukrainian anti-drone specialists have already been deployed across the Middle East, including to Saudi Arabia, following a surge in retaliatory strikes from Tehran targeting US assets and regional bases.

Although Tehran has claimed responsibility for several recent drone and missile strikes, it continues to deny any involvement in operations targeting Saudi Arabian soil.

For Riyadh, the deal represents a pragmatic move to harden its defences using the real-world data and tactical success gathered on the battlefields of Eastern Europe.