https://arab.news/9w3bf
The Iran war has created multiple geopolitical challenges and uncertainties but also some opportunities. One of these is the role that Ukraine has been playing as a promoter of global security in recent weeks. President Volodymyr Zelensky saw a window of opportunity to improve security in the Gulf, while deepening relations with Arab countries, and seized it. The relationships that will result will be mutually beneficial for both Ukraine and the Gulf states.
After Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Kyiv became an importer of outside assistance and military systems. But more than four years later, times have changed. As recent events in the Middle East have shown, Ukraine has not only survived the invasion and halted Russia’s advance, it has also developed a modern, technology-based defense industry that can provide much-needed security assistance to other regions of the world, particularly the Gulf.
The fact that Zelensky has been able to sign security agreements with Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Qatar in recent weeks should come as no surprise. The threat these countries face from Iranian drones and missiles is significant. Due to the intensity of the war in Ukraine and the fact that most airstrikes against Ukraine have been conducted by drones — many originally manufactured, designed or inspired by Iranian systems — there is no country in the world with more recent experience confronting Iranian aerial threats than Ukraine.
