Politics

Zelensky makes second Saudi Arabia visit in less than a month

3 min read
Zelensky makes second Saudi Arabia visit in less than a month
President Volodymyr Zelensky (center-left) and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud (center-right) during talks in Saudi Arabia on April 14, 2026. (President Volodymyr Zelensky/X)

Editor's note: The story has been updated with the latest details.

President Volodymyr Zelensky arrived in Saudi Arabia on April 24 for talks with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud, as Kyiv builds security partnerships in the Gulf region.

"Today, we are advancing our agreements with Saudi Arabia in the areas of security, energy, and infrastructure," the president said on X.

Zelensky said he held a "very productive meeting" with the crown prince, as their two nations are developing a strategic partnership in air defense, energy, and food security.

"We have set tasks for our teams, and I expect their prompt and full implementation," the president added.

The two leaders previously met in Jeddah on March 27, a day when Kyiv and Riyadh concluded a major deal on air defense technology cooperation.

Ukraine has stepped up cooperation with Gulf countries on anti-drone systems, leveraging its battlefield experience countering Iranian-designed drones deployed by Russia.

Saudi Arabia and other countries in the region have faced sustained Iranian missile and drone attacks during the recent U.S.-Iran war, now under a tenuous ceasefire.

Zelensky's visit to the Middle East comes only a day after he arrived at an EU summit in Cyprus to shore up support for Ukraine among European partners.

The European bloc on April 23 approved a 90-billion-euro ($106-billion) loan for Kyiv and the 20th package of sanctions against Russia, in a major boost for Ukraine amid the ongoing full-scale invasion.

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Martin Fornusek

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Martin Fornusek is a reporter for the Kyiv Independent, specializing in international and regional politics, history, and disinformation. Based in Lviv, Martin often reports on international politics, with a focus on analyzing developments related to Ukraine and Russia. His career in journalism began in 2021 after graduating from Masaryk University in Brno, Czechia, earning a Master's degree in Conflict and Democracy Studies. Martin has been invited to speak on Times Radio, France 24, Czech Television, and Radio Free Europe. He speaks English, Czech, and Ukrainian.

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