Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy held a night meeting in Jeddah with Crown Prince Muhammad bin Salman during his visit to Saudi Arabia, sources familiar with the negotiations reported.
According to them, the meeting took place in a narrow circle. The negotiations were also attended by the Chief of the General Staff, Andriy Hnatov, Defense Minister Rustem Umerov, and Ukraine's Permanent Representative to the UN, Serhiy Kyslytsia.
The key topic of the conversation was defense and technological cooperation. In particular, the parties discussed the possibility of concluding an agreement on the supply of interceptor drones and other solutions for airspace protection, however, this is not about assistance to Ukraine, but rather about the transfer of technologies and Ukrainian-made products to Saudi Arabia.
According to sources, the deal could include the export of Ukrainian developments in the field of drones and air defense systems. This is an area in which Ukraine has significantly increased its competence and production capabilities during the war.
Official details of the negotiations are not being disclosed at this time, but according to preliminary data, the signing of the relevant agreements may take place in the near future.
Experts note that such cooperation could open up new opportunities for Ukraine in the defense technology market, particularly in the Middle East, where demand for modern airspace defense systems is growing.
