What's happened
Ukraine is working to strengthen military and diplomatic ties with Gulf countries, especially the UAE and Qatar, to bolster support in its ongoing war against Russia. Discussions include cooperation on unmanned technologies and security, as Zelensky visits the region. The US and China are also involved in diplomatic efforts.
What's behind the headline?
Ukraine's diplomatic outreach to Gulf countries reflects a strategic effort to diversify its support base and leverage regional expertise in drone defense. The Gulf states, heavily targeted by Iranian-designed drones, see value in Ukraine's experience, especially with over 800 Patriot missiles used for defense. The talks with the UAE and Qatar are the most advanced, focusing on security cooperation and technology sharing. Meanwhile, Kyiv's appeal to China for influence over Russia signals a desire to involve a major global player in peace efforts, despite China's close ties to Moscow. The US's mediating role remains critical, but with efforts stalled, Ukraine is pushing for new alliances. This approach could reshape regional security dynamics and influence the broader conflict's trajectory.
What the papers say
The New Arab reports that Ukraine is preparing agreements with Gulf nations on security cooperation, including sky defense, and has deployed anti-drone experts to the Middle East. Reuters highlights Kyiv's efforts to secure military support through diplomatic visits, with discussions on unmanned technologies and cooperation with countries like Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Jordan, and Oman. Both sources emphasize Ukraine's focus on sharing drone and missile defense expertise, especially in response to Iranian attacks. The New Arab also notes Zelensky's upcoming visit to China, aiming to involve Beijing in peace negotiations, despite US concerns over Chinese arms supplies to Russia. These contrasting perspectives underscore Ukraine's multi-pronged diplomatic strategy—seeking regional security partnerships while attempting to engage China as a peace broker.
How we got here
Ukraine's war against Russia has entered its fifth year, with Kyiv seeking international support to counter Russian advances. Recent visits by President Zelensky to Gulf nations aim to secure military aid and share expertise, particularly in drone and missile defense, as Iran's influence and attacks in the region increase. The geopolitical landscape is complicated by US-Iran tensions and China's cautious role.
Go deeper
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Ukraine is a country in Eastern Europe. It is the second-largest European country after Russia, which borders it to the east and northeast.
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Qatar, officially the State of Qatar, is a country located in Western Asia, occupying the small Qatar Peninsula on the northeastern coast of the Arabian Peninsula.
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The United Arab Emirates, sometimes simply called the Emirates, is a sovereign state in Western Asia at the northeast end of the Arabian Peninsula on the Persian Gulf, bordering Oman to the east and Saudi Arabia to the south and west, as well as sharing m
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Saudi Arabia, officially the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, is a country in Western Asia constituting the bulk of the Arabian Peninsula.
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Russia, or the Russian Federation, is a transcontinental country located in Eastern Europe and Northern Asia. Covering an area of 17,125,200 square kilometres, it is the largest country in the world by area, spanning more than one-eighth of the Earth's in
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China, officially the People's Republic of China, is a country in East Asia. It is the world's most populous country, with a population of around 1.4 billion in 2019.
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Iran, also called Persia, and officially the Islamic Republic of Iran, is a country in Western Asia. It is bordered to the northwest by Armenia and Azerbaijan, to the north by the Caspian Sea, to the northeast by Turkmenistan, to the east by Afghanistan a