Ukraine is rapidly emerging as a key security partner in the Middle East and Gulf region. Leveraging its battle-hardened expertise in air defense, drone warfare, and missile interception, Ukraine has secured landmark agreements with regional powers—despite ongoing hostile disinformation campaigns aimed at undermining its credibility.
Gulf States Recognize Ukraine’s Air Defense Expertise
Leaders of the Gulf states have publicly appreciated Ukraine’s advanced capabilities in air defense, as well as the scope of assistance Ukraine has recently rendered to regional partners. Ukraine continues to support its Middle Eastern allies by sharing its achievements and battlefield experience, while carefully balancing its own security priorities and maintaining the necessary level of Ukraine’s defense capabilities.
Landmark Presidential Visits: Saudi Arabia & Qatar (March 27–29, 2026)
bin Salman in a photo released by Saudi state media.
Gulf nations
President Volodymyr Zelensky in the United Arab Emirates
During a working visit by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Ukraine concluded new defense cooperation agreements with Saudi Arabia and Qatar.
Key outcomes included:
- Discussions on the joint creation of air defense systems.
- Ensuring stable supplies of Patriot PAC-3 interceptor missiles for Ukrainian air defense units.
Strategic Engagements in Turkey & Syria (April 4–5, 2026)
President Zelenskyy conducted a working visit to Turkey and the first official visit to Syria, significantly expanding Ukraine’s diplomatic and defense footprint in the region.
Ukraine–Turkey: Deepening Defense Industry Partnership
at Dolmabahce Palace, Istanbul – File Photo
Talks with President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan focused on the Middle East and Gulf security situation. Both sides agreed to deepen security sector cooperation, including:
- Joint projects in the defense-industrial complex, leveraging Ukrainian expertise, technology, and combat experience to complement Turkey’s defense needs.
- Establishment of joint ventures for gas infrastructure and possible joint gas field exploration.
Erdoğan reaffirmed Turkey’s commitment to Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, expressing readiness to host the next round of trilateral talks between Ukraine, the United States, and Russia.
President Zelenskyy also met with Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew to discuss a just peace in the Russia-Ukraine war and the fate of Ukrainian children forcibly transferred to Russia.
Ukraine–Syria: A New Security & Food Security Axis
shake hands during their meeting in Damascus, Syria, April 5, 2026.
During the first official visit to Syria, President Zelenskyy met with President Ahmed al-Sharaa. Syria expressed genuine interest in exchanging military and security experience with Ukraine.
Key discussion points:
- Security cooperation and the regional situation in the Middle East and Gulf.
- Ukraine’s role as a reliable supplier of food products to strengthen regional food security.
- A trilateral Ukraine–Syria–Turkey format focused on security and trade cooperation.
Countering Hostile Disinformation: Ukraine Exposes Fake Campaign
In response to Ukraine’s growing defense partnerships, a coordinated information operation was launched to discredit Ukraine as a reliable security partner.
Key elements of the disinformation campaign:
- AI-generated propaganda videos circulated via TikTok accounts.
- False claims that Ukraine is an “active participant in military aggression” against Iran.
- Fake reports disguised as international media stories, including:
- An alleged death of a Ukrainian soldier in the UAE (using an altered photo of Ukrainian defender Mykola Syshchyk).
- False claims about “destruction of Ukrainian anti-drone systems in Dubai” and “death of 21 Ukrainian specialists.”
Ukraine’s response:
On March 28, 2026, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine officially refuted these fake stories.
The real goal of this operation is to undermine international trust in Ukraine’s proven progress in countering enemy drones and missiles, and to obstruct further security partnerships.
Why Gulf Countries Are Turning to Ukraine
The effective, multi-layered air defense system developed by Ukraine—capable of protecting against enemy attack UAVs, ballistic missiles, and cruise missiles—has become a central point of interest for Gulf countries, especially following recent Iranian drone and ballistic attacks.
Areas of cooperation include:
- Delivery and joint production of weapon systems.
- Exchange of experience and technical expertise.
- Long-term cooperation in the energy sector.
Ukrainian Experts on the Ground
Ukrainian experts are currently present in Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Qatar to:
- Conduct security situation assessments.
- Identify areas requiring improvement.
- Determine measures to strengthen protection of people and critical infrastructure from Iranian attack UAVs and missiles.
BY: The Times Union
