Zelenskyy hails ‘historic’ defense pacts with Qatar, Saudi Arabia

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has described the defense cooperation agreements signed with Saudi Arabia and Qatar during his current Middle East visit as “historic,” noting that Ukraine had never before concluded such long-term strategic partnerships in the region. Speaking at a virtual news briefing, Zelenskyy said the 10-year agreements cover mutual assistance in military technology and other sectors, with Ukraine particularly interested in protection against ballistic threats. “Ukraine has never had such agreements in this region before,” he stated.

Peace talks stalled amid shifting US focus

Commenting on the state of Russia-Ukraine peace negotiations, Zelenskyy acknowledged that trilateral talks have been postponed because the United States is currently focused on the conflict with Iran. While dismissing the notion that the process has reached a dead end, he expressed openness to holding negotiations in any location where partners are willing to host. “We support a meeting anywhere — the US, Türkiye, Switzerland. Anywhere where the partners are ready to meet,” Zelenskyy said, reaffirming his commitment to pursuing diplomatic channels while maintaining Ukraine’s defensive posture on the front lines.

Energy strikes and ceasefire prospects

The Ukrainian president also confirmed that after the outbreak of the Iran conflict, some partner nations requested that Kyiv refrain from striking Russian oil infrastructure. He did not specify which countries made the request. Zelenskyy expressed readiness for an Easter ceasefire, stating that if Russia refrains from targeting Ukrainian energy infrastructure, Ukraine will reciprocate. “Normal people who respect life talk about a ceasefire and ending the war for life, not just for a few days,” he added.

Türkiye’s enduring role as mediator

Zelenskyy’s mention of Türkiye as a preferred venue for peace talks underscores Ankara’s continued role as a trusted intermediary in the Russia-Ukraine conflict. Since the war began, Türkiye has hosted multiple rounds of negotiations, facilitated prisoner exchanges, and brokered critical agreements such as the Black Sea Grain Initiative. While global attention has shifted to the Middle East crisis, Ankara has maintained active diplomatic engagement with both Moscow and Kyiv, positioning itself as an indispensable actor in any future peace process.