KYIV, April 24 (Reuters) - Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy on Friday arrived in Jeddah on his second visit to Saudi Arabia in a month, as Kyiv tries to bolster security cooperation and
Zelenskiy seeks to develop security co-operation after Saudi visit
Ukraine's Diplomatic Efforts in the Middle East
Recent Visit to Saudi Arabia
KYIV, April 24 (Reuters) - Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy on Friday visited Saudi Arabia for the second time in a month, as Kyiv seeks to bolster security co-operation and advertise its battle-tested technology in the Middle East amid the Iran war.
Key Discussion Areas with Saudi Leadership
Defence, Energy, and Food Security
Zelenskiy said he discussed defence, energy and food security co-operation during a "very productive" meeting with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, as the sides seek to develop a security agreement signed earlier.
Strategic Security Arrangement
"There is a strategic security arrangement that we are actively developing across three key areas," Zelenskiy said.
Exports of Military Expertise and Air Defence
The Ukrainian leader said this included exports of Ukrainian military expertise and air defence capabilities, energy co-operation to help Ukraine, and food security.
Energy Co-operation
Kyiv has touted its battle-proven solutions against Iranian mass drone attacks in various Middle Eastern nations since the U.S. and Israel attacked Iran in February.
Food Security Initiatives
"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, energy, and infrastructure," Zelenskiy said on X upon arrival.
Details of the Visit
Zelenskiy did not mention the city, but Saudi state TV said he arrived in Jeddah.
Background on Ukraine-Saudi Relations
Previous Agreements and Future Prospects
During his visit to Saudi Arabia in late March, Kyiv and Riyadh reached an agreement on defence co-operation that Zelenskiy described as laying a vast foundation for future contracts.
Ukraine's Role in Regional Security
Zelenskiy has said Ukraine's assistance is delivering results in the Middle East, and also offered Kyiv's expertise to help restore free navigation in the Strait of Hormuz.
(Reporting by Ahmed Elimam, Yuliia Dysa and Max Hunder, Editing by William Maclean, Rod Nickel)
