Czech military expert: Ukraine conducting highly skillful diplomacy in Middle East

Ukraine is conducting astute diplomacy in the Middle East, which will have significant positive consequences for Kyiv.

This view was expressed to Ukrinform by Czech security and defense expert Colonel Otakar Foltyn.

“The way Ukraine has managed to build alliances in the Gulf countries and help strengthen air defense will, of course, bring it not only economic but also technological benefits. Ukraine is clearly capable not only of fighting brilliantly but also of conducting very good diplomacy,” the expert said.

He emphasized that Ukraine offered its expertise to Gulf countries that had come under attack from Iran at a very critical moment. Foltyn expressed hope that Ukraine would turn this into a long-term geopolitical advantage.

The expert, who himself worked in the region for some time, is convinced: the countries of the region greatly appreciate assistance that comes at a time when it is truly needed; they remember this, despite all cultural differences.

“And Ukraine came to the rescue immediately with its combat experience… and continues to provide significant assistance. This is a major plus for Ukraine, perhaps greater than we realize at this moment,” said the analyst, who also served in the Czech Special Forces Command and believes that Ukraine is effectively leveraging this challenge to its advantage.

According to the expert, there are no beneficiaries of the conflict in the Middle East. And Russia, he is convinced, is trying to take advantage of the situation to replenish its coffers, as well as hoping to divert the world’s attention from its war against Ukraine, but in the long run, this will not fundamentally help Moscow.

“Russia… is grasping at straws. But this straw won’t help a drowning man, even though he doesn’t know it.... It won’t help. Russia is hurtling toward the self-destruction it has brought upon itself at full speed. And that’s a good thing,” said Foltyn.

Read the interview with Otakar Foltyn on the Ukrinform website on Saturday.

As reported, on April 24, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky arrived in Saudi Arabia, where he will meet with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud.

In March and April of this year, Zelensky made a series of important visits to the Middle East, including to Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Qatar.