His Highness UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and His Excellency Volodymyr Zelenskyy, President of Ukraine, discussed the security developments in the region amid ongoing military escalation and their implications for regional and international peace and security, as well as their impact on international navigation and the global economy.

The discussions took place during a meeting Saturday in Abu Dhabi. The UAE President welcomed His Excellency Zelenskyy and expressed his appreciation for the visit, noting that it underscores the strength of relations between the two countries.

The meeting also addressed the continued Iranian aggression targeting the UAE and other countries in the region, UAE national news agency WAM reported.

Zelenskyy reiterated his condemnation of this aggression, noting that it constitutes a violation of sovereignty, international law, and the UN Charter and undermines regional and international peace and security.

Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan affirmed that the UAE is addressing the situation with wisdom and restraint, reflecting its commitment to preventing further tensions and crises in the region. He underscored that the UAE will continue to defend its sovereignty with determination in the face of terrorist attacks targeting civilians and civilian infrastructure and affirmed that the UAE remains fully prepared to confront all threats and retains its full right to self-defence in accordance with international law.

The two sides also discussed opportunities to advance bilateral cooperation under the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement between the UAE and Ukraine, reaffirming their shared commitment to achieving its objectives.

Moreover, the UAE President reiterated his country’s support for all efforts and initiatives aimed at achieving a lasting peace in Ukraine.

The meeting was attended by Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister, Chairman of the Presidential Court; Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Chairman of the Presidential Court for Special Affairs; Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad bin Tahnoon Al Nahyan, Adviser to the UAE President; along with a number of Ministers and officials.

Earlier this month, the Ukrainian President said military teams had been sent to several Gulf states and Jordan, Al Jazeera news channel reported.

Ukraine has moved on from making sea and aerial drones to producing interceptors that target drones, he said, adding that Ukraine is capable of producing at least 2,000 interceptors per day - half of which are required for its own defence and the remainder available for use by Kyiv’s allies.

“If a Shahed needs to be stopped in the Emirates - we can do it. If it needs to be stopped in Europe or the United Kingdom - we can do it. It is a matter of technology, investment, and cooperation,” he said. (WAM; Al Jazeera; Photo © WAM)