KYIV, Ukraine — President Volodymyr Zelensky has revealed that Ukraine is pursuing defence partnerships with several Middle Eastern countries, in a strategic push to secure military support while expanding its own arms exports.
In remarks from an interview with Le Monde, Zelensky said the United States had facilitated initial engagements involving its bases in the region, while countries such as Saudi Arabia, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Jordan, and Kuwait have also approached Kyiv for cooperation.
Zelensky disclosed that Ukrainian defence experts are already deployed in some of these countries, assessing local systems and sharing operational experience gained from the ongoing war with Russia.
He noted that while conventional air defence systems such as the Patriot missile system and THAAD remain critical, they are not sufficient to counter evolving threats, particularly large-scale drone attacks.
“Modern warfare requires new solutions,” Zelensky said, pointing to interceptor drones as a key innovation in countering mass aerial assaults.
The Ukrainian leader said discussions are ongoing around future equipment transfers, with Kyiv seeking access to air defence missiles held by Middle Eastern partners.
In exchange, Ukraine is offering to supply surplus systems and provide technical expertise built from battlefield experience.
“Funding is the scarcest resource today. Our defence industry is operating at half capacity,” Zelensky said, highlighting financial constraints facing Ukraine’s military production sector.
He added that increased financing would allow Ukraine to ramp up domestic drone production, a critical component of its defence strategy.
As part of the proposed partnerships, Ukraine is positioning itself not just as a buyer of military hardware, but also as a supplier of advanced systems and know-how.
Zelensky emphasized that Ukraine’s interceptor drone capabilities are part of an integrated defence system, requiring specialised training and operational coordination.
“We’re not just selling equipment—we’re offering expertise. It’s the system that works,” he said.
The outreach marks a notable evolution in Ukraine’s defence diplomacy, as it seeks to diversify partnerships beyond traditional Western allies and tap into new sources of funding and military cooperation.
As the war continues to strain Ukraine’s resources, Zelensky’s approach underscores a dual strategy—securing immediate military needs while building long-term defence industry resilience through international partnerships.
