Ukraine and Bahrain have agreed to open reciprocal embassies as Kyiv expands its security and diplomatic footprint in the Gulf.
The announcement came during President Volodymyr Zelensky’s first official visit to the kingdom on Tuesday, where he met with King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa to forge a new era of strategic cooperation.
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At the heart of the high-level talks in Manama was a proposed “Drone Deal,” a framework designed to export Ukraine’s battle-tested expertise in countering Iranian-manufactured aerial threats. Beyond defense, the leaders discussed deepening bilateral ties through agricultural partnerships, the establishment of permanent diplomatic missions, and the pursuit of a mutual visa-free travel regime.
In a statement following the meeting, Zelensky linked the security of Eastern Europe directly to the stability of the Middle East, specifically addressing recent Iranian aggression in the region.
“Unfortunately, Iran carried out reckless strikes against the UAE yesterday. Such steps by Iran can only be condemned. There needs to be more security in this region,” Zelensky said, noting that Ukraine faces nearly identical daily threats from Iranian-designed weapons used by Russia.
The Ukrainian leader emphasized that Kyiv is no longer just a recipient of aid, but a provider of security solutions.
“Ukraine is making its own contribution to security and stability,” he wrote on social media, adding that he had set new tasks for Ukraine’s diplomatic teams to accelerate cooperation with Gulf partners.
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