Zelensky says Ukraine and UAE 'agreed to cooperate' on defense

An undated handout photograph released on March 28, 2026, by the United Arab Emirates Presidential Court shows UAE's President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed al-Nahyan (R) meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in the United Arab Emirates. ABDULLA AL-NEYADI / AFP

Ukraine and the United Arab Emirates have agreed to cooperate on defense amid Iran's drone strikes across the region, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Saturday, March 28.

Zelensky's unannounced visit to the UAE comes a day after he announced a defense agreement with Saudi Arabia, inked as the Gulf countries face Iranian drones launched by Tehran in retaliation for US-Israeli strikes.

Kyiv has sought to leverage its expertise in downing Russian drones to help Gulf nations and has deployed anti-drone experts to the region, including to the UAE and Saudi Arabia.

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Zelensky says Ukraine and UAE 'agreed to cooperate' on defense

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