Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has met with Bahraini King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa in Manama during his first visit to the country, the presidential office has said. At the same time, it is also the first meeting between the leaders of Ukraine and Bahrain since 2003, the report said.
“During our meeting today we discussed the security situation in the Middle East and the Gulf region and key security challenges and opportunities. We talked about strikes from Iran against Bahrain and other countries, about the situation regarding the Strait of Hormuz. Almost every day our country is also under the same terrorist strikes, and our people have relevant experience in full-scale defence. Ukraine is ready to share such security expertise with Bahrain and help strengthen the defence of life. I offered to conclude a Drone Deal and scale cooperation with Bahrain,” Zelensky wrote in a telegram.
He added that the countries’ teams will work out the details.
According to the presidential press service, Zelensky also informed the king about the situation in Ukraine, diplomatic work to achieve a dignified peace and contacts with leaders of partner countries. Ukraine is ready to hold negotiations in the trilateral format, he noted.
“Special attention to the development of bilateral economic relations and partnership in agricultural production. They also discussed the opening of embassies in Ukraine and Bahrain and the possible introduction of a visa-free regime between the two countries,” the OP reported.
Last month, President Zelensky said that the Drone Deal programme that Ukraine offers to countries in the Middle East and Europe is primarily aimed at protection. Zelenskyy noted that the Drone Deal was initially developed and offered by the USA.