The Ukrainian president'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.

There is renewed urgency for Ukraine to get a drone deal done, as the US increasingly focuses on Iran.

“The point of the agreement is that Ukraine will support them in developing all the necessary components of air defence, which they currently lack,” says official.