Ukraine and Saudi Arabia signed a defense cooperation agreement on Friday, laying the foundation for future contracts, technological exchanges, and investments. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced the pact on X ahead of his meeting with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman during an unannounced visit to Riyadh.

The agreement focuses on air defense collaboration, with Ukraine offering its battle-tested expertise in countering drone attacks. Ukrainian forces have repelled thousands of Russian drone strikes over five years of war, including Iranian-designed Shahed models now used by Moscow. Zelenskyy highlighted that Ukrainians are "resisting the same kind of terrorist attacks, ballistic missiles and drones, that the Iranian regime is currently carrying out in the Middle East and the Gulf region."

The pact comes amid escalating tensions in the Middle East following a U.S.-Israeli military campaign against Iran that began on February 28, 2026. Iran has retaliated with drone and missile strikes on Gulf states, including Saudi Arabia, which has intercepted hundreds of such threats since then. At least 25 civilians have died in these attacks across the region, with two killed in the United Arab Emirates on Thursday.

Ukraine has deployed more than 200 anti-drone specialists to Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Qatar, with 30 more en route to Jordan and Kuwait, to assist in defending against these threats. Zelenskyy described the cooperation as mutually beneficial, noting Saudi Arabia's capabilities of interest to Ukraine, such as advanced systems like PAC-3 missiles. "We are ready to share our expertise and systems with Saudi Arabia and to work together to strengthen the protection of lives," he stated.

This marks Ukraine's first major defense deal in the Gulf, positioning Kyiv as a security provider amid concerns over potential shifts in U.S. military aid due to Middle East priorities. The agreement strengthens bilateral ties, potentially extending to energy cooperation, as Zelenskyy also discussed fuel markets and regional security with Saudi officials. Saudi Arabia has not yet publicly confirmed the pact.