Facing European cold shoulder, Ukraine turns to Middle East partners
Euronews.com • • general
Key Points:
- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy revealed that Kyiv is seeking new partnerships in the Middle East and Gulf regions due to blocked support from the European Union, aiming to strengthen Ukraine's defense capabilities.
- Ukraine is negotiating with countries including Saudi Arabia, Qatar, UAE, Bahrain, Jordan, Kuwait, and the US regarding military cooperation, offering expertise in countering Iranian Shahed-type drones in exchange for support against ballistic threats and financial aid.
- Ukrainian forces have significantly improved drone defense, successfully intercepting 97% of drones in recent Russian attacks, and are focusing on countering both Shahed and FPV drones, the latter being a key weapon in Russia's war against Ukraine.
- Ukraine's defense industry is projected to produce over 8 million FPV drones annually by 2026, a scale unmatched by any NATO member, positioning Ukraine to potentially become a major drone supplier to Middle Eastern countries.
- Expanding drone sales to the Middle East could provide a crucial economic boost for Ukraine, especially as the country faces a financial shortfall that requires a €90 billion loan to cover upcoming defense and economic needs.
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