The 10-year agreements Kyiv has struck with three Gulf countries will see Ukrainian companies help to protect critical facilities, Volodymyr Zelensky said.
Around 200 Ukrainian military experts were dispatched to the Middle East shortly after the launch of the US-Israeli war against Iran to help defend neighboring countries against Iranian retaliatory strikes, especially those using long-range drones.
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The move to send active military personnel outside the country despite relentless Russian attacks at home had initially sparked criticism but also led to discussions on allowing a new sector to be created: private military contractors.
Currently, Ukraine does not allow former military personnel to become private defense contractors for foreign entities. Zelenskyy’s step, allowing Ukrainian companies to advise foreign militaries, can be seen as a first step in this direction.
“Ukrainian companies will work with the armed forces of these countries to protect specific facilities,” Zelensky said in a social media post on Friday.
The president will now negotiate “volumes, services, and types of weaponry” for which Ukraine will be paid in various different forms such as interceptors, crude oil, diesel or financial contributions.
The deals have reportedly been made with Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the UAE, with Zelensky saying further contracts are being discussed with Oman, Kuwait and Bahrain.
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