Story perspectives

Zelenskiy, UAE President Sign 10-Year Defence, Energy Aid Deal

5/12/2026

Summary

Zelenskiy Signs Defence Pact

President Volodymyr Zelenskiy met UAE President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan on May 11, 2026.
The leaders signed a 10-year defence cooperation agreement covering military assistance.
Zelenskiy said Ukrainian expertise is helping build reliable protection for lives.
He added that the UAE is providing support to Ukraine, including energy-sector assistance.

Summary

UAE-Turkey Deepen Ties

On 9 May 2026, UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan called to deepen ties and pledged economic, trade, energy and security cooperation.
Erdogan affirmed Turkey’s support for UAE sovereignty and called the US-Iran clash regrettable.
At the SAHA Expo 2026 defence and aerospace fair in Istanbul, Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed met Erdogan with Sheikh Theyab bin Zayed and Dr Sultan Al Jaber.

Summary

Aoun Calls UAE

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun called UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan on May 9 2026 to condemn Iranian attacks on civilians.
Aoun affirmed Lebanon’s solidarity with the UAE and pledged support for its security.
Both leaders committed to deepen development cooperation to boost prosperity.
President Joseph Aoun and President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan reviewed recent Middle-East events and pledged to advance the peace process while strengthening security foundations.

History

Historical Context

Born from the British-run Trucial Oman Scouts in 1951, the UAE unified its armed forces in 1971 and joined the 42-nation coalition that expelled Iraq in 1991. Decades of coalition experience paved the way for Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed’s 2026 ten-year defence pact with President Zelenskiy, extending cooperation to Turkey and the United States.

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Zelenskiy Signs Defence Pact

President Volodymyr Zelenskiy met UAE President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan on May 11, 2026.
The leaders signed a 10-year defence cooperation agreement covering military assistance.
Zelenskiy said Ukrainian expertise is helping build reliable protection for lives.
He added that the UAE is providing support to Ukraine, including energy-sector assistance.

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