Saudi Arabia and Ukraine have reached an arrangement on defense cooperation as Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister, held talks in Jeddah on Friday with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
They also tackled regional and international developments, particularly the military escalation in the Middle East and the latest developments in the Ukrainian crisis.
The meeting was attended by Saudi Minister of State, Member of the Cabinet, and National Security Advisor Dr. Musaed bin Mohammed Al-Aiban; Minister of Environment, Water and Agriculture Abdulrahman Alfadley; President of the General Intelligence Presidency Khalid bin Ali Al-Humaidan; and Saudi Ambassador to Ukraine Mohammed Al-Barakah.
Also present were Ukraine’s Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council Rustem Umerov; First Deputy Head of the Presidential Office Serhii Kyslytsia; Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces Lieutenant General Andriy Hnatov; Ambassador of Ukraine to the Kingdom Anatolii Petrenko; and Deputy Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council Davyd Aloyan.
Ahead of Friday’s meeting, the Saudi Ministry of Defense signed a memorandum of understanding with Ukraine covering defense procurement arrangements.
The agreement was signed in Jeddah by Khalid Al-Bayari, the Saudi assistant minister of defense for executive affairs, and Lt. Gen. Andriy Hinatov, chief of the general staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
Zelenskyy said on X that “the document lays the foundation for future contracts, technical cooperation, and investment.”
He added that Saudi Arabia has “capabilities that are of interest to Ukraine.”
“We are ready to share our expertise and systems with Saudi Arabia and to work together to strengthen the protection of lives,” said Zelenskyy.
After arriving in Jeddah on Thursday, he wrote on X that important meetings were scheduled.
“We appreciate the support and support those who are ready to work with us to ensure security.”
