KYIV, Mar 27: Ukraine and Saudi Arabia have signed an agreement on defence cooperation that lays the foundation for future contracts, technological cooperation and investments, President VolodymyrZelensky said on Friday.
During an unannounced visit to the Gulf, Zelensky hopes to bolster support for Ukraine in its war against Russia, which is now in its fifth year, as the war with Iran raises uncertainty over whether Washington will restrict its military supplies.
Zelensky said the framework agreement was signed ahead of a meeting with ?Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
"We are ready to share our expertise and systems with Saudi Arabia and to work together to strengthen the protection of lives," Zelensky said on the Telegram app.
"Saudi Arabia also has capabilities that are of interest to Ukraine, and this cooperation can be mutually beneficial."
Zelensky's trip comes after the Washington Post reported on Thursday that the United States was weighing redirecting the weapons supplies intended for Ukraine to the Middle East as the conflict with Iran strains existing American munitions stocks.
This month, Kyiv sent more than 220 Ukrainian experts to advise several Middle East countries on how ?to intercept drone attacks that have wreaked havoc on energy infrastructure across the region. �"REUTERS
