Zelensky makes second Saudi Arabia visit in less than a month

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.
I have arrived in Saudi Arabia, where I will meet with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud.
— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) April 24, 2026
Yesterday, at a meeting with European leaders, we secured financial guarantees for our resilience. Today, we are advancing our agreements with Saudi Arabia in the areas of security,… pic.twitter.com/U6Kmk4fa7d
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.










