Umerov to visit several Middle Eastern countries, incl Saudi Arabia – Zelenskyy

Secretary of Ukraine’s National Security and Defense Council Rustem Umerov is currently on a visit to the United Arab Emirates and plans to travel to several Middle Eastern countries, including Saudi Arabia, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said.

"Regarding Rustem, he arrived this morning, I believe, and is discussing the issues you mentioned. But today he is in the Emirates. He plans to be not only in the Emirates but also in several countries, including Saudi Arabia," Zelenskyy told journalists when asked about a possible agreement with Saudi Arabia on purchasing Ukrainian interceptor drones.

On March 10, it was reported that Saudi Arabia and several other Gulf states are preparing to purchase Ukrainian interceptor drones and electronic warfare systems, The Wall Street Journal reported, citing sources familiar with the matter.

Earlier, Zelenskyy said Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council Umerov had been sent to Middle Eastern countries to hold talks on helping protect the region from aerial threats from Iran.

"Right now our team – both the military and Rustem Umerov – is heading to the Gulf region, where our specialists can help protect lives and stabilize the situation. We see the challenges caused by Iranian strikes – by this entire war, which could drag on. In fact, the Iranian regime has blocked the Strait of Hormuz, one of the main routes for oil and gas supplies to the global market. This is a significant destabilization," Zelenskyy said on Telegram.