Ukraine’s Zelensky, Saudi Crown Prince hold security talks in Jeddah
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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky (left) arriving in Saudi Arabia on April 24.
PHOTO: X/@ZELENSKYYUA
- Ukrainian President Zelensky visited Saudi Arabia for security talks with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, advancing agreements across security, energy, and infrastructure sectors.
- Kyiv seeks mutual strengthening, sharing its drone defence expertise and establishing joint production lines in Gulf states, following a decade-long cooperation deal.
- Saudi Arabia, maintaining good relations with both Kyiv and Moscow, has also hosted US officials for talks aimed at ending the Russian invasion.
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JEDDAH, Saudi Arabia - Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on April 24 held security talks with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, in his second trip to the country in recent weeks.
Mr Zelensky has brokered closer ties with several states in the Gulf amid the US-Israeli war with Iran, striking defence deals – including with Riyadh – to share Kyiv’s expertise in downing drones, gained through fending off over four years of Russian attacks.
Mr Zelensky said on social media he had held a “very productive meeting with the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia,” posting a photo of them meeting in an ornate wood-panelled room.
He said the countries were developing ties across three areas – “the export of Ukrainian security expertise and capabilities in air defence,” energy and food security.
During his visit in March, Mr Zelensky said the two sides had “reached an important arrangement” on air defence.
The deal envisaged a decade-long cooperation on defence, including establishing joint production lines, he said.
Kyiv has dispatched dozens of military specialists and drone interceptors to several countries in the region, where they were used to shoot down incoming Iranian drones.
It touts its anti-drone defences as the best in the world.
Saudi Arabia has maintained good relations with both Kyiv and Moscow, and has also hosted talks with US officials searching for an end to the Russian invasion. AFP
