Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky arrived in Qatar on Sunday as part of his quick tour of Gulf countries, aiming to strengthen ties amid the ongoing war with Russia.
Kyiv has developed advanced drone technology during the conflict with Russia. Zelensky’s government is now offering this expertise to help Gulf states counter recent Iranian drone attacks.
Earlier this week, Ukraine signed a defence agreement with Saudi Arabia. Zelensky also held talks in the United Arab Emirates to boost cooperation.
Officials say Ukraine hopes these visits will improve relations with wealthy Gulf countries, which could help Kyiv strengthen its air defence against Russian missile attacks.
Observers note the timing is critical, as the war in the Middle East has drawn global attention and stretched US defence resources, shifting focus away from Ukraine.
Zelensky’s outreach reflects Ukraine’s need to secure broader international support to maintain its defence capabilities against Russia.
With inputs from BBC