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Zelenskiy holds call with UAE counterpart

By Thomson Reuters May 11, 2026 | 11:21 AM

KYIV, May 11 (Reuters) – President Volodymyr Zelenskiy on Monday discussed with the United ​Arab Emirates President Sheikh ‌Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan UAE’s assistance in bringing Ukrainians back from Russian captivity and the ‌war ​in Iran.

Since the ⁠start of the ⁠wake of the Iran war, Ukraine has offered its battle-tested expertise in countering drones ​to the UAE and a handful of other ⁠Middle Eastern countries. ⁠Kyiv and the UAE ​struck a 10-year defence cooperation ​deal.

“I was glad to hear ‌that Ukrainian expertise is truly helping to build reliable protection for lives. We discussed ⁠continuing this work,” Zelenskiy said on X.

“I am grateful to the ⁠UAE ‌that our agreements are ⁠being implemented on the ​basis ‌of reciprocity and that ​Ukraine ⁠is also receiving the support it needs, including in the energy sector,” Zelenskiy added.

(Reporting by Yuliia Dysa; Editing by ​Alistair Bell)