Arab News

JEDDAH: Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky has arrived in Saudi Arabia for the 32nd Arab League summit being hosted by the Kingdom, ahead of an expected trip to Japan for a G7 meeting.

“Beginning my first-ever visit to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to enhance bilateral relations and Ukraine’s ties with the Arab world. Political prisoners in Crimea and temporarily occupied territories, the return of our people, Peace Formula, energy cooperation. KSA plays a significant role and we are ready to take our cooperation to a new level,” Zelensky posted on his Twitter account.

فيديو | وصول الرئيس الأوكراني فلاديمير زيلينسكي إلى المملكة لحضور #قمة_جدة العربية الـ 32#الإخبارية pic.twitter.com/rRWDeN8wuU

— قناة الإخبارية (@alekhbariyatv) May 19, 2023

The Ukrainian leader will meet Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman has mediated in the Russia-Ukraine conflict before.

Last year Prince Mohammed won a diplomatic triumph when he secured the release of 10 foreigners captured by Russia in Ukraine. The move was apparently made possible by his close ties with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Beginning my first-ever visit to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to enhance bilateral relations and Ukraine’s ties with the Arab world. Political prisoners in Crimea and temporarily occupied territories, the return of our people, Peace Formula, energy cooperation. KSA plays a…

— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) May 19, 2023

Anatolii Petrenko, Ukraine’s ambassador to Saudi Arabia, meanwhile said Zelensky’s visit was a milestone for Ukrainian-Arab relations.

The envoy added that the “Global South and Ukraine are consistently building up their ties while consolidating efforts to effectively tackle the critical issues of global and regional significance” in a post on social media.

Today is truly a Milestone Day for Ukrainian-Arab relations! Ukrainian President 🇺🇦Volodymyr Zelenskyy @ZelenskyyUa arrived in Jeddah 🇸🇦 to participate in the Arab League Summit. First visit to hospitable Saudi Arabia and first Ukrainian leader to take part in such an event of…

— Anatolii Petrenko (@AmbUkraineKSA) May 19, 2023