Egypt Daily News – The Saudi Crown Prince, Prince Mohammed bin Salman, received the Ukrainian President, Volodymyr Zelensky, in Jeddah. The visit highlights the two countries’ commitment to strengthening bilateral relations and reaffirms the Kingdom’s ongoing efforts to resolve the Ukrainian crisis through diplomatic means.
Since the outbreak of the Ukrainian crisis, Saudi Arabia has played a pivotal role in seeking peaceful solutions. The Crown Prince previously held discussions with both Russian and Ukrainian leadership in the early days of the crisis, expressing Saudi Arabia’s willingness to mediate and contribute to a political resolution that leads to lasting peace.
Saudi diplomatic sources indicated that the Ukrainian president’s visit to Saudi Arabia reflects the Kingdom’s international standing and leadership role, as well as the Ukrainian government’s keenness to strengthen communication with Saudi leadership and consult on issues of mutual interest in light of the latest developments in the crisis.
The sources added that the Saudi Crown Prince enjoys significant respect from all parties involved in the Ukrainian crisis, which enhances the chances of success for the initiatives and efforts he is leading to resolve the conflict.
Saudi Arabia has repeatedly affirmed that dialogue is the only path to resolving the Ukrainian crisis. President Zelensky’s visit aligns with Riyadh’s efforts to contribute to a peaceful solution and reach an agreement on the frameworks and mechanisms for such a resolution through dialogue while leveraging the Kingdom’s strong relations with all parties involved.
In August 2023, Saudi Arabia hosted a consultative meeting in Jeddah for national security advisers from more than 40 countries and organizations to exchange views on ways to resolve the crisis peacefully.
Beyond political efforts, Saudi leadership has also prioritized humanitarian initiatives to address the crisis. The Kingdom provided $410 million in humanitarian aid to Ukraine, including relief materials and petroleum derivatives, and operated an air bridge carrying various shelter supplies from Saudi Arabia to Ukraine.
This visit comes as part of ongoing international efforts to resolve the Ukrainian crisis, reaffirming the Kingdom’s emphasis on dialogue and diplomacy as essential means to ending conflicts, restoring security and stability, and protecting civilians from the devastating consequences of war.
