Ukraine and Saudi Arabia have signed a defence cooperation agreement between their respective ministries of defence, with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy describing the deal as laying the foundation for future contracts, technological cooperation and investment.

Zelenskiy announced the agreement ahead of his meeting with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in Riyadh, saying it would strengthen Ukraine's international role as "a security donor."

The signing follows more than a week of work in Saudi Arabia by a team of Ukrainian air defence experts, tasked with assessing what changes were needed to strengthen Saudi protection against Iranian drones and ballistic missiles.

"The main task of our air defence experts in this region is to identify challenges and determine what changes are needed to strengthen the protection of people and lives from Iranian Shaheds and missiles," Zelenskiy wrote on X on March 26.

He drew a direct parallel between Ukraine's experience and the current Gulf conflict, noting that Ukrainians had been resisting the same types of weapons now being deployed against Saudi Arabia.

"Now into the fifth year, Ukrainians are resisting the same kind of terrorist attacks — ballistic missiles and drones — that the Iranian regime is currently carrying out in the Middle East and the Gulf region," Zelenskiy said.

Ukrainian experts shared air defence methodology with Saudi counterparts, with a particular focus on approaches to shooting down drones.

"Even in such a short time, Ukrainian experts were able to share extensive expertise and demonstrate how we in Ukraine protect our lives and infrastructure. Ukraine's expertise is unique, and recognised as such, and that is why everyone is so interested in our technologies and experience," Zelenskiy said.

He said the cooperation agreement laid the groundwork for long-term engagement, describing Saudi capabilities as equally of interest to Kyiv.

"Saudi Arabia also has capabilities that are of interest to Ukraine, and this cooperation can be mutually beneficial," he said.

The two sides also discussed Russia's support for Iran, developments in fuel markets and potential energy cooperation. Zelenskiy said the document signed would also facilitate future investment ties.

"It lays the foundation for future contracts, technological cooperation, and investment. It also strengthens Ukraine's international role as a security donor," he said.

The deal marks a significant repositioning of Saudi-Ukrainian relations, with Kyiv leveraging its battlefield air defence experience as a tradeable asset at a moment when Gulf states face sustained Iranian missile and drone attacks.