Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky recently embarked on a notable journey across the Middle East, emphasizing the importance of security collaboration. While in Jordan, he highlighted the need for all partners to commit to enhancing security measures, stating, “Today in Jordan. Security is the top priority and it is important that all partners make the necessary efforts toward it.” This tour reflects Ukraine’s proactive approach in leveraging its experiences to assist Gulf nations.

Strengthening Defense Ties

As part of his tour, Zelensky has successfully established defense agreements with several Gulf states, including Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates. These partnerships are particularly timely as Ukraine has been focusing on its expertise in neutralizing Russian drones, an area of increasing interest for these nations.

Since Iran’s response to US-Israeli aerial strikes, Ukrainian anti-drone specialists have been dispatched to assist these three countries in bolstering their defense capabilities.

Support in Jordan

In addition to the agreements with Gulf states, a Ukrainian team is also stationed in Jordan, reinforcing the collaborative efforts around security, as confirmed by a senior official earlier this month. The details of their activities remain under wraps.

Technological Advancements

Ukraine utilizes a blend of cost-effective drone interceptors, electronic jamming technology, and anti-aircraft weapons to counter Russian drones. Moreover, there is a proposal in place to exchange these interceptors for the more expensive air-defense missiles currently used by the US allies in the region to combat Iranian drones. This strategy could enhance the defensive measures employed by partner countries while also establishing deeper ties between Ukraine and its allies.