Zelenskyy makes unannounced visit to Jordan to discuss security

MOSCOW

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy arrived in Jordan on Sunday on an unannounced visit, saying he plans to discuss security issues with Jordanian counterparts.

In a statement on Telegram, Zelenskyy said the talks would focus on security and coordination with partners.

“The most important thing is security, and it is important that all partners make the necessary efforts. Ukraine is making its contribution. We have important meetings ahead of us,” he said.

Zelenskyy said that since the start of the US/Israel-Iran conflict in the Middle East, many countries in the region have asked Ukraine for assistance in countering Iranian drones.

Regional escalations have continued to rage since Israel and the US launched an offensive against Iran on Feb. 28, killing more than 1,340 people to date, including then-Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.

Iran has retaliated with drone and missile strikes targeting Israel, Jordan, Iraq and Gulf countries hosting US military assets, causing casualties and damage to infrastructure, while disrupting global markets and aviation.

Zelenskyy visited Saudi Arabia on Thursday to discuss the same issue. After the trip, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha said another country had joined the PURL program, under which Ukraine purchases US weapons, without naming it.

The PURL initiative, or Prioritized Ukraine Requirements List, launched last July, is a NATO program in which allies fund the purchase of US weapons and equipment for Ukraine.