Ukraine, Bahrain to Open Embassies as Kyiv Expands Gulf Security Ties

Zelensky condemned recent Iranian strikes on the UAE as Ukraine pitched its battlefield-tested drone expertise and broader security cooperation to Bahrain. Make us preferred on Google Share Facebook X (Twitter) LinkedIn Bluesky Email Copy Copied A handout picture taken and released by the Ukrainian Presidential Press Service on May 5, 2026 shows Bahrain’s King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa (R) welcoming President Volodymyr Zelensky in Manama. (Photo by UKRAINIAN PRESIDENTIAL PRESS SERVICE / AFP) Content Share Facebook X (Twitter) LinkedIn Bluesky Email Copy Copied Flip Make us preferred on Google Ukraine and Bahrain have agreed to open reciprocal embassies as Kyiv expands its security and diplomatic footprint in the Gulf. The announcement came during President Volodymyr Zelensky’s first official visit to the kingdom on Tuesday, where he met with King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa to forge a new era of strategic cooperation. Follow our coverage of the war on the @Kyivpost_official . At the heart of the high-level talks in Manama was a proposed “Drone Deal,” a framework designed to export Ukraine’s battle-tested expertise in countering Iranian-manufactured aerial threats. Beyond defense, the leaders discussed deepening bilateral ties through agricultural partnerships, the establishment of permanent diplomatic missions, and the pursuit of a mutual visa-free travel regime. In a statement following the meeting, Zelensky linked the security of Eastern Europe directly to the stability of the Middle East, specifically addressing recent Iranian aggression in the region. “Unfortunately, Iran carried out reckless strikes against the UAE yesterday. Such steps by Iran can only be condemned. There needs to be more security in this region,” Zelensky said, noting that Ukraine faces nearly identical daily threats from Iranian-designed weapons used by Russia. The Ukrainian leader emphasized that Kyiv is no longer just a recipient of aid, but a provider of security solutions. “Ukraine is making its own contribution to security and stability,” he wrote on social media, adding that he had set new tasks for Ukraine’s diplomatic teams to accelerate cooperation with Gulf partners. Other Topics of Interest Zelensky Proposes Drone Deal in Meeting With Bahrain’s King Kyiv offered to share battlefield drone expertise as the two sides discussed regional security and expanding cooperation. The outreach to Bahrain follows a series of 10-year defense export agreements Kyiv recently signed with Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Qatar. These pacts form the backbone of a broader initiative focused on arms exports, joint drone production and the establishment of manufacturing lines both within Ukraine and across the Gulf. The move signals a major shift in Gulf foreign policy: as regional powers face growing threats from Iran and its proxies, they are increasingly looking to Kyiv’s frontline innovations – developed under fire – to help secure their own skies. Sevinj Osmanqizi is a journalist covering US foreign policy, security, and geopolitics, with a focus on the broader post-Soviet space. She reports on Washington’s decision-making and its implications for Ukraine and regional stability.