Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said he discussed a drone deal and food security with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman on Monday.
– “There are domains in which Ukraine and Saudi Arabia can strengthen each other’s ability to protect lives and people,” he said on X after the call.
– Speaking later in his nightly video address, Zelenskiy said a team of Ukrainian officials was in the region “and there are already areas in which our relations are developing well. I am counting on reciprocity in our mutual support.”
– Ukraine and Saudi Arabia signed an agreement on military cooperation in March when the president met the crown prince.
– Ukraine has developed expertise in dealing with Iranian-designed drones over more than 4-1/2 years of war with Russia. It has also signed deals on drone development with other countries in the Middle East and Gulf and elsewhere.