Kuwait city: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced that Kyiv has signed "three major security documents" with Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates, referring to the agreements as a "drone deal."
According to Anadolu Agency, Zelenskyy detailed that the agreements involve both the private and public sectors in Ukraine, focusing on implementing low-cost drones and establishing co-production lines for their production. He highlighted the economic efficiency of the deal by comparing the costs of Shahed drones, which range from $80,000 to $130,000, to the much higher costs of missiles traditionally used to counter them. The Ukrainian leader expressed a commitment to helping these Middle Eastern countries enhance their defense capabilities through this innovative approach.
Shahed drones, which are Iranian unmanned combat aerial vehicles, are central to the agreements. Zelenskyy expressed his intention to share Ukraine's expertise in drone production with the United States, signaling a desire to expand such partnerships globally.
In addressing the broader context of the Ukrainian conflict, Zelenskyy emphasized the need for deploying international forces along the line of contact with Russia. Despite supporting a ceasefire in the Middle East, he voiced concerns about the possibility of Russia capitalizing on such developments.