News snippet: Ukraine is signing 10-year defense partnerships with three Gulf countries as the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran enters its second month and shows no sign of slowing down.
President Volodymyr Zelensky signed an agreement with Qatar on March 28, the day after his visit to Saudi Arabia where he secured a deal with Riyadh. Another agreement with the UAE will be inked in the coming days, Zelensky told reporters at a press briefing during his visit to Qatar.
"The first priority is weapons — their production, exchange of experience, and the exchange of scarce resources that one country may have and another lacks," he said.
"During these 10 years, we will engage in co-production. We will build factories both in Ukraine and in these countries."
In turn, the Ukrainian leader discussed long-term energy cooperation with the three countries. Ukraine’s energy sector is under constant attack from Russia while Iran’s blockade of the Strait of Hormuz sent fuel prices through the roof.
After the last brutal winter revealed massive oversights in the energy sector, Kyiv is already preparing for the next heating season.
Zelensky didn’t reveal anymore details about the 10-year agreements. But he stressed that Ukraine’s expertise goes beyond just drone production — it also includes Ukrainian soldiers' four-years of experience countering Russian aerial attacks as well as Ukraine’s electronic warfare systems.
338
L444kiMar 28, 2026
+418
Ukraine taking over the sway of gulf states as they pivot away from the US was not my bingo card for 2026.
418
Troubleshooter11Mar 28, 2026
+102
Wasn't on mine either but it is a nice bonus. Good on them for exporting their (very hard fought) expertise.
102
CantFeelMyToesAgainMar 28, 2026
+66
I’m here for it though
66
NoDiamond3445Mar 29, 2026
+4
Love it. I have always thought the inevitable Russian victory argument all over listnook was a false narrative. The Russians are beat up, poorly led, poorly trained and supplied. Russians are the ones who are not winning. Ukraine just needs to bleed the beast.
4
Unicorn_ColomboMar 28, 2026
+28
I am not aware of any evidence for pivoting away from US.
This is just patching a growing hole in defense against c**** missiles/drones, since NATO concentrated on the mid and high-end threats instead.
28
Spinoza42Mar 28, 2026
+38
Rory Stuart definitely suggested so in The Rest is Politics, take that however you like. In his talks with gulf state reps since the war they see US bases as a liability rather than an asset. I think many people may underestimate how much the gulf state don't appreciate that they were not involved in the decision to attack and that the US air defence of them has been scattershot rather than essential to the mission. Without each other and European support the ballistic and drone attacks would be absolutely horrendous, and I think many of them genuinely thought the US would protect them at least in case of wars the US itself starts.
38
AlphabunsquadMar 29, 2026
+17
It does seem like Saudi Arabia encouraged and still encouraged the war. The other states are less clear. I believe they even said that on the rest is politics. The thing is, the gulf states wouldn’t expect this much escalation in a conflict where the US simultaneously alienated its own allies. In an actually justified conflict of this scale, you would expect the US to be able to call on its allies, which would include Ukraine, to fill the gap and help neutralize Iran launching sites. If it were a smaller conflict then the US would be able to defend from more limited strikes, and if it were a bigger conflict then the US would launch ground troops leading to massive chaos but almost certainly a disassembling of the IRGC and who knows what kind of chaos after, but generally you would expect the gulf states to come out a lot better than Iran.
So once again I don’t think this as much the US being unreliable as it is Trump just being a f****** dipshit.
17
HunterGraccusMar 28, 2026
+12
This has huge symbolic meaning diplomatically. It signals GCC and EU are giving up on the US and want to transition to a joint EU/GCC defence pact to replace NATO.
The war in Ukraine is an EU war, if US bails they are better off with an alliance with the GCC.
edit: letter
12
firechaoxMar 29, 2026
+3
From what we’re hearing both the Saudis and UAE lobbied Americans to start the war, so I find this a bit weird from them.
I think it’s more that they are complaining they are clearly second-class allies (with Israel being the only one that’s really being protected).
3
Unicorn_ColomboMar 28, 2026
-13
Based on what evidence? What evidence is there that they weren't informed? Or that the air defense is failing?
To me the evidence is that US is not using an bases in the area specifically to not drag gulf states into the war, but Iran is shooting at gulf states anyway, not just at the bases.
When it comes to success of air defense, it really depends on what you consider success. If you want everything intercepted, that will cost you. If 90% chance, that means on average, you will have 1 hit out of 10. Overall defense here is problematic and costly.
-13
KaplawMar 28, 2026
+14
Its unsustainable
You cant keep using 4 million dollar patriots to shoot down 50k shaheds, the US cant keep up with this level of war for long. We already saw them loot their east asian assets in Korea so thats a bad sign of things to come.
14
Unicorn_ColomboMar 28, 2026
-10
Yes, that's why I said that the deal is about patching this gaping hole, once the war ends, Ukraine will be an important security provider for small and medium threats.
But I doubt this conflict will result in disentangling gulf states and US relationships. After all, Israel and US are the only countries that are doing anything against Iran, which is perceived as regional threats.
-10
Significant-Tear-562Mar 29, 2026
I bet most books you buy come with crayons too?
0
L444kiMar 28, 2026
+12
Why would they even ask for anything Ukranian if the deals with US had the covered?
US has veen going around the globe making milltary alliances in exchange of economic alliances, but after a month of an actual low intensity war they are failing to deliver.
12
Unicorn_ColomboMar 28, 2026
-8
Did you actually read my post? Drones are new thing, previously only other nation that invested in countering low-tier tech was Israel.
But Ukraine cannot be the main security provider, itself is low on munition, artillery, doesn't have planes or ships, or high-tech radars.
-8
TrumpetSolo93Mar 29, 2026
+8
watch the recent meeting Zelensky held with the UK. I think they have more than you realize.
8
AlphabunsquadMar 29, 2026
+5
Artillery is barely used in the Ukraine war now. It is too easily countered by drones. That’s a big reason why Russian advances have been so poor for the last year despite a huge surge of new troops and Ukrainians being reportedly on their last ammo and soldiers. Russias huge artillery advantage was completely nullified by drones meaning the only advantage Russia had was meat waves which Ukraine can defend easily with limited supplies.
5
Bayo77Mar 29, 2026
+1
This also finally broke that awkward game of the gulf states trying to be neutral towards russia.
1
TwoparrotpartyMar 28, 2026
+121
You can’t trust the USA with Trump in power, this is a genius move from Zelensky, this at least will contribute to helping beat Putins shitty land grab.
121
FuckM0reFromRMar 29, 2026
+40
You can't trust a country that would elect trump TWICE.
40
wtiongMar 29, 2026
+4
But but the cards, the suit....
4
ContributionUpper424Mar 28, 2026
+648
It’s a win-win situation for both sides. Modern warfare has shifted beyond expensive hardware, and Ukraine’s drone knowledge is valuable as Iranian Shahed drones strain Gulf economies.
648
Thurak0Mar 28, 2026
+134
I just hope that the first one of the planned factories come online soon in time to help both, Gulf States and Ukraine.
134
KaplawMar 28, 2026
+119
And the gulf states saw how useless the US is in the new age of warfare
I cant imagine they saw 4 years of Ukraine war and decided it was still a good idea to lob 8 patriot missiles worth 4 million dollars each at 50k worth of shahed drones
119
Tim-SylvesterMar 29, 2026
+68
Common misconception. The American military industrial complex has never been about *winning wars*.
The American military industrial complex to *ensure continuous warfare* so that they can *make money*.
Winning is contrary to the goal of continuousness - if you win, it's over, and they stop making money.
68
AlphabunsquadMar 29, 2026
+28
I wouldn’t really say that’s wholly true. It’s clear the US military is much more prepared to win traditional wars than other great powers as is clear from the failed Russian invasion. Compare that to the gulf war where Iraq had the fourth largest military in the world and was incredibly battle hardened after the Iran Iraq war. Third parties expected a war lasting years if not decades and tens to hundreds of thousands of coalition casualties. The Iraqis even outnumbered coalition troops 1 million to 900,000 (compared to Russia invading Ukraine which is was 7 to 1 in russias favor). The war was over in months with only around 150 casualties to coalition forces. Then it was similar again in the conventional part of the Iraq War. In any conventional part of modern conflicts, the US military has been incredibly effective.
I just don’t think we can say that the US military is not fit to defend the gulf states and win a conflict in the Middle East. It’s just we can’t win a conflict like we are fighting now. All of our airstrikes are incredibly effective. Our munitions work very well and the military is extremely competent, just you can only do so much from the air after senselessly poking the bear. The US being your ally would still mean that Iran would be very restricted from massive provocations, as a US ground deployment, while incredibly costly, would be the end of the Iranian regime. I am not advocating for that at all. Nothing has justified that. But my point is the problem is the US leadership, not the lack of US capability. Our president chose an unwinnable war. On top of that, under a normal president, access to Ukrainian drone capabilities would be considered one of the benefits of being an ally of the US. Zelenskyy is only making a direct deal with the gulf states because Trump turned him down. Iran has been improving their drones from the experienced gained from the Ukraine war. Trump is incredibly stupid to not benefit from the experience our allies have gained from being on the other side of it.
28
Bman10119Mar 29, 2026
+7
Part of it could be that the people making decisions are incompetent bootlickers
7
Kalsto6Mar 29, 2026
+1
It's actually very interesting. If US actually puts foot down on the ground and go fully at a country, they would win without a doubt but because US is a democratic nation and subject to PR from both outside and inside their country and they are fighting only the regime of one country and not their people, they can't do much.
We might see that in countries with dictatorship it will become completely impossible to dislodge them due to drones.
1
rtb001Mar 29, 2026
-1
Sure, but your argument hinges on the hypothesis that the US MIC, for whatever reason, has not learned the lessons of the Russia Ukraine war, and thus has been unable to protect their Gulf State vassals ...
But somehow those same vassals, ruled and run by the laziest and some of the most incompetent mofos alive, who have spent GENERATIONS sitting on their ass with silver spoon made of oil up their butts, who only know getting money for free from extractive industries, are gonna what, suddenly start building an entire military drone industry that CAN protect themselves better than the Americans?
Press X to doubt.
-1
pvdp90Mar 29, 2026
+5
From someone currently in the Middle East:
The drones are being shot down by patrolling fighter jets and the thaad/patriots are being used as anti missile. So it’s not as lopsided as you depict, cost wise. Still very unfavorable, but it’s not 4mil vs 50k.
Idk how much an inranian ballistic and cruise missile cost, but it surely costs way more than a shahed.
5
Vova_PoutineMar 28, 2026
-16
Nobody is using patriots to shoot down drones.
-16
AlphabunsquadMar 29, 2026
+2
That’s the point
2
KaplawMar 29, 2026
+4
Exactly my point
So how does the US shoot them down?
They dont have an actual response setup because they havent learned from the 4 years of warfare from Ukraine
Ukraine fields less expensive drones to shoot down more expensive drones.
Their economical approach is enticing the Gulf states since the US response is lacking
4
bloin19932010Mar 29, 2026
+1
They are using patriots to shoot down drones.
https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/bahrain-says-patriot-missile-system-involved-march-9-blast-over-residential-area-2026-03-21/
https://www.reuters.com/investigations/patriot-missile-involved-bahrain-blast-likely-us-operated-analysis-finds-2026-03-22/
https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/ukraine-sends-drone-experts-three-countries-middle-east-zelenskiy-says-2026-03-10/
1
liverpoolFCnutMar 28, 2026
+19
The thing is, 20%+ drones still get through. It is not so much of a problem in Ukraine as the frontline is far and the population even in cities is sparse, however, the shiny, expensive and densely populated gulf cities is a different story. The 20% drones that slip through even with Ukraine's best defenses will still do a lot of damage. As for the ballistics, even Ukraine relies on the US for interceptors, so there's not much they can offer there.
19
pessimistkonsulentenMar 28, 2026
+96
If affordable Ukrainian drones can take out 80%, the more expensive stuff can be concentrated on the 20% that slip through as opposed to the 100% today.
96
AlphabunsquadMar 29, 2026
+19
It’s closer to 97% and Ukraines second largest city is 10 miles from Russia and incredibly dense, so I don’t know what you are talking about.
19
swampopawahoMar 28, 2026
+12
True bit still an improvement on what they're doing now, and what the US is offering
12
TanukigasMar 28, 2026
+5
Iran isn't anywhere close to 20% of their stuff through though
5
KaplawMar 28, 2026
+10
They will if the US keeps burning through their patriots shooting down shaheds
Its economically unsustainable and the longer this lasts the less effective US responses will be (unless they learn from modern drone warfare)
10
TanukigasMar 28, 2026
-12
So why is Ukraine also reliant on patriots to defend itself then? and do you really think America doesn't have its own interceptor drones?
-12
New-Independent-1481Mar 28, 2026
+17
Ukraine will use anything and everything they have of course, including what remains of their Patriots. But they are not reliant on American-made defences to the same degree as before.
> and do you really think America doesn't have its own interceptor drones?
Not to the same degree as Ukraine, no, and if they did, they aren't using them to help the Gulf States.
17
TanukigasMar 28, 2026
-24
Good to know you don't have a clue what you're actually talking about then
-24
New-Independent-1481Mar 28, 2026
+17
I'm sorry you don't like the truth, but the reality is the US doesn't hold all the cards any more.
[According to Ukraine's MoD](https://www.ukrinform.net/rubric-defense/4083680-share-of-ukrainianmade-weapons-in-procurement-rises-to-82-ministry-of-defense.html), military procurement from domestic sources sat at 82% at the start of 2026. They're simply not as dependent on American military imports, whether by their choice or not. Patriots constitute an ever-decreasing share of their defensive capabilities. To say that Ukraine is "reliant" on them in 2026 is blatantly false. Ukraine gets attacked with hundreds of Russian drones and missiles every night and even if you believe the 90-95% interception rate is inflated, there simply isn't the same level of destruction of military and infrastructure assets as Russia experiences in Ukraine's return fire.
The difference maker are the cost effective and c**** interceptors like the P1-SUN and Sting, which Ukraine is spearheading development of. Their manufacturers state production costs are around $1000 per drone, and they can presently manufacture around 2000 per day. They're 3d printed, made of generic parts, and don't require specialised training to assemble. The US military does not have or use drones like these, because they don't have the same type or level of need that Ukraine - and now the Gulf States caught in this conflict - have.
17
TanukigasMar 28, 2026
-17
Yeah Ukraine's mod is a totally unbiased source that would never lie and if their interceptors are so great why are so many russian drones and missiles still getting through?
-17
dukbuttaMar 28, 2026
+1
Cruise missiles, that’s why.
1
Gotta_GettMar 28, 2026
+2
Yeah but Iran sends less drones in the waves than Russia
2
mdedetrichMar 29, 2026
+1
> The thing is, 20%+ drones still get through.
Ukraines interception rate for drones is 90%+, so its closer to 10%. Furthermore Ukraine as a country is the worst case scenario because of how huge and spread it is.
In any case, no defense system is perfect, the best ones achieve 90% interception rate. The main benefit to Ukraines anti drone interception specifically is that its massively cheaper than what Israel/US has. An anti-drone intercept from Ukraine costs just 1-2k depending on which model/company, which is massively cheaper than the iron dome system that Israel has or the Patriot system that US has.
1
DaySecure7642Mar 28, 2026
+59
A very smart move. Ukraine provides the military techs and experience for the financial support against the Russian invasion.
59
MammothTrifle3616Mar 28, 2026
+64
Smart move from Ukraine!
64
JohnnySmithe81Mar 28, 2026
+21
Ukraine always wanted this but its only now Iranian drones are landing in middle east cities that those governments are willing to go ahead with it and piss off the Russians.
21
moonLanding123Mar 29, 2026
+6
It's that time when Churchill celebrated (privately) pearl harbor.
6
cinciNattyLightMar 28, 2026
+88
Trump has to be sooo pissed about this, I love it.
88
FuggyGlassesMar 28, 2026
+24
Uno reversed card lmao this very interesting.
24
tormentnexusMar 28, 2026
+16
Suddenly Zelenskyy has all the cards. Fantastic for them, honestly, the more support outside of the US the better
16
SaskyBoiMar 28, 2026
+66
USA is getting left behind
66
BisjouxMar 28, 2026
+49
Didn’t Trump refuse Zelenskyy’s offer of assistance?
49
mrg1957Mar 28, 2026
+45
Yep. Mr Big Brain is thinking bigly.
45
TOMC_throwaway000000Mar 28, 2026
+9
US: uh no thanks we don’t need your help to defend them, we’ve got it covered
Countries the US is “successfully” defending: yes please we will take all the help and intel you’ve got
9
Presently_AbsentMar 29, 2026
+10
Experience of two presidents before getting into politics:
Trump's: "billionaire" who ran casinos and everything else into the ground
Zelensky: entertainer, actor, comedian
Let that sink in...
10
ClubSodaMar 29, 2026
+9
When the entertainer-actor-comedian is a smarter-superior-more honest leader
9
jphamloreMar 28, 2026
+43
I 100% called this.
Now make a deal with South Korea to start mass producing the defense systems to give the Gulf states an integrated defense against drones.
Also this is why Iran has to go for it now, to shut down the Strait of Hormuz as long as possible, because they may never as much leverage as they have now. Iran has to be prepared to go at least 90 days, preferably 120 days, of Strait of Hormuz shutdown, and make it open that is what is going to happen. They need to break the United States / Gulf states alliance right now.
43
elfd01Mar 28, 2026
+12
Sadly SK doesn't want to have anything to do with Ukraine even despite NK involvement. Personally I am thinking that NK is their responsibility, they couldn’t stop them to spreading their shit and still they refusing to help someone who deal with it. They still living in illusion of fear of escalation.
12
jphamloreMar 28, 2026
+12
South Korea already has existing defense sales contracts with the Gulf states, including maybe $15 billion or so with UAE. They can build on existing relationships.
12
SuchIntroduction8388Mar 29, 2026
+2
Yes, but irellevant. His comment was specially about SK-UA relationship, as NK have much tighter cooperation with Russa then anything gulf states related.
2
dillpiccololMar 29, 2026
+7
Mmm someone's got some nice cards now. :)
7
LastXmasIGaveYouHSVMar 29, 2026
+6
This is good news, and probably marks the beginning of the end of this war. I hope.
These countries have deep pockets and they could finance Ukraine's defense while learning how to deal with Iran's or Israel's attacks.
6
Mba1956Mar 28, 2026
+12
This sounds like a great deal for gulf states, they will not be a direct aggressor because they have so much valuable infrastructure that they are literally people living in glass houses. Therefore their only concern is defence.
The US has shown that it cannot defend their countries and they will pay for that mistake for years to come. They have decided that they aren’t going to make that mistake again. There is no need for US bases in the region as they have become more of a liability than an asset.
The US just lost more soft power and if they lose bases they will lose hard power as well.
12
awckwardMar 29, 2026
> There is no need for US bases in the region as they have become more of a liability than an asset
It's interesting indeed, how that has worked out.
0
TreatAffectionate453Mar 29, 2026
-1
>gulf states, they will not be a direct aggressor
Are you only talking about Iran or in general? Because Saudi Arabia led a coalition with nine other countries in order to intervene in Yemen - which ended up worsening the humanitarian crisis. Fortunately, they declared a unilateral ceasefire seven years later. Now they're just jockeying for their proxy to overcome the UAE's and Iran's respective proxies.
-1
mothafckagingaMar 28, 2026
+26
Look who has the cards now.
26
UlteriorMotive66Mar 28, 2026
+5
But I thought Zelensky wasn't playing cards! /s
5
AnomalyNexusMar 28, 2026
+3
That all white and all black outfits are great
3
YesNo_Maybe_Mar 28, 2026
+6
Imagion having this person as your president. He just wanted to take care of corruption in his country.
6
captainmycaptnMar 29, 2026
+2
It's almost as if "America first" was a bad idea. Almost. RIP america
2
BraklinathMar 29, 2026
+2
This is going to hilariously piss off the people who told him he "didn't have any cards" and I'm all here for it
2
ratsbaneMar 28, 2026
+5
Can Zelensky please become president of the US?
5
suzythecreatorMar 29, 2026
+4
World War III is coming if it isn't already here. The conflicts in both the Russia-Ukraine war and the Middle East/South West Asia are intermingling.
Shit is about to get ugly fast.
4
Fantastic-Corner-605Mar 28, 2026
+8
Ukraine becoming the next hegemon of the Middle East was not on my Bingo cards.
8
Ezer_PavleMar 28, 2026
+2
Daddy trump won't be happy
2
veryboredatworkMar 29, 2026
+1
Now this is how you act presidential, not that all that all caps baseless Truth Social horsesh*t.
1
b3iAAoLZOH9Y265cujFhMar 29, 2026
+1
This is excellent news for Ukraine and the three Gulf states in question alike, and I'm here for it.
My congratulations to all involved parties for making a sensible and effective decision that'll no doubt prove mutually beneficial in the years to come.
84 Comments