Zelensky's Surprise Saudi Arabia Trip for 'Important Meetings' as Ukraine Steps Up Middle East Support
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky arrived in Saudi Arabia on Thursday for an unannounced visit, just days after revealing Ukraine's expanding role in Middle Eastern security. Kyiv is reportedly assisting five countries in the region – Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Kuwait, and Jordan – in countering drone attacks, a capability honed during the ongoing conflict with Russia.
Drone Expertise Exchange for Air-Defence Missiles
Mr Zelensky confirmed his arrival on X, stating: "Arrived in Saudi Arabia. Important meetings are scheduled." He added: "We appreciate the support and support those who are ready to work with us to ensure security." The Ukrainian leader had previously indicated that his nation is providing drone expertise and helping to build defence systems for these Gulf states. He also suggested Ukraine could play a part in restoring security in the Strait of Hormuz.
In return, Kyiv is seeking more high-end air-defence missiles, which Gulf countries possess and are desperately needed to repel Russia’s missile barrages. Ukraine has emerged as a leading global producer of cutting-edge, battle-tested drone interceptors, which are both cheap and effective, proving instrumental in its defence against Russia’s more than four-year-old full-scale invasion.
Ukrainian officials did not announce the trip beforehand, nor did they immediately provide further details.
Northern European Allies Target Russia's Shadow Fleet
A group of northern European countries vowed Thursday to harden the fight against Russia's "shadow fleet" of tankers exporting its sanctioned oil, as Turkish officials said that one of those tankers approaching the Black Sea entrance to the Bosporus Strait was hit by a naval drone.
Russia's shadow fleet is made up of aging tankers that are bought used, often by non-transparent entities with addresses in countries that are not sanctioning Russia. Moscow needs the vessels to dodge Western sanctions and sell the oil and petroleum products that largely finance its more than 4-year invasion of Ukraine.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said at a meeting with allies in Finland that "we should go after the shadow fleet even harder." Speaking with other members of the Joint Expeditionary Force, a 10-country group that has been tracking the vessels, Starmer said the British military will now be able to board shadow fleet tankers when they transit UK waters, joining several other allies in doing so.
"Together, we must close off critical sea routes to this vital trade, to keep up the pressure on (Russian President Vladimir) Putin and to help change the narrative of this war" in Ukraine, Starmer said.
Ukraine Calls for Continued Pressure on Russian Tankers
In a recorded video message, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said that Russia's oil and gas exports are fueling Moscow's effort to take over Ukraine. "So please keep the pressure on Russia — its tankers and shadow fleet must not feel safe in European waters," he said.
In Turkey, officials said that none of the 27 Turkish crew members of the Altura tanker was injured when it was attacked early Thursday, causing damage to the bridge and engine room. The Altura, which reportedly was carrying 140,000 tons of crude oil when it was hit some 14 nautical miles north of the Bosphorus, has been owned by Turkey-based Pergamon Maritime since November.
The tanker has been subject to European Union sanctions since October due to its role in transporting sanctions-dodging Russian oil exports, according to the Open Sanctions website. Transport Minister Abdulkadir Uraloglu said the tanker was subjected to an "attack by an unmanned sea vessel." He did not say whether Ukraine was suspected to be behind the attack.
In the past, Ukraine’s military has said it used sea drones to sink Russian vessels in the Black Sea. Earlier this month Russia blamed a Ukrainian naval drone for the sinking of a Russian-flagged tanker carrying liquefied natural gas in the Mediterranean Sea off Libya.
