Saudi Arabia and Ukraine Partnership: Ukraine says it has made a new defence deal with Saudi Arabia. President Volodymyr Zelensky said the agreement is about sharing Ukraine’s drone defence knowledge and technology with the Gulf country. He said Saudi Arabia has been facing the same kind of danger from Iran that Ukraine has been dealing with for years from Russia.
Reuters reported on March 27, 2026, that Zelensky announced the deal during his visit to Saudi Arabia and said it could lead to more contracts, more technology work together and new investment.
We have reached an important Arrangement between the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine and the Ministry of Defense of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia on defense cooperation. The document was signed ahead of our meeting with the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia, Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud.… pic.twitter.com/j3aXzLXSNr
— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) March 27, 2026
Zelensky made his message clear in his post. He said, “We are ready to share our expertise and systems with Saudi Arabia and to work together to strengthen the protection of lives,” He also said, “Saudi Arabia also has capabilities that are of interest to Ukraine, and this cooperation can be mutually beneficial,” These words came before his meeting with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. Reuters said Zelensky was in the kingdom for important talks as Ukraine tries to build stronger links with Middle Eastern countries during the war.
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Benefits for Both Sides
This new agreement is important because both countries are worried about missile and drone attacks. Zelensky said Saudi Arabia has been under threat from Iranian attacks, while Ukraine has spent more than four years fighting Russian strikes.
He is trying to use Ukraine’s real war experience as something valuable that can help other countries too. Reuters said Ukraine has even sent expert teams to Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Qatar to support work on drone defence and protection of energy sites.
Zelensky also spoke about this in a video message to the Joint Expeditionary Force summit in Helsinki. He said, “The key is not only producing new weapons – especially drones – not just technology, but also real experience in using it, and integrating it with radars, aviation, and other air defence systems. We have this experience,” His point was simple. Ukraine does not only know how to build systems. It also knows how to use them in real attacks and under very hard war conditions.
That makes its knowledge very useful to countries that now face similar threats. Reuters said drones have become central to Ukraine’s defence and attack strategy during the war.
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At the same time, Zelensky is hoping this relationship will help Ukraine too. He said he wants support for his country as Russia’s invasion goes on. In an interview with Le Monde, he said, “We would like Middle Eastern states to also give us an opportunity to strengthen ourselves.
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They have certain air defence missiles of which we don’t have enough. That’s what we’d like to reach a deal on,” So this is not just Ukraine giving help. It is also asking for help back. Reuters said Zelensky is looking for financial support, technology and possibly missiles or other defence tools that Ukraine badly needs.
