- Zelinsky says he is ready to take cooperation with Saudi Arabia to a “new level.”
- The Ukrainian President also met with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
- “Milestone Visit for Ukraine-Arab Relations”: Ukrainian Envoy to Saudi Arabia.
JEDDAH: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyi said on Friday that he is ready to take cooperation with Saudi Arabia to a “new level”, calling for more support for its people. Arab News Reported
Zelenskiy was hosting the 32nd Arab League summit in Saudi Arabia seeking to support his country during a Russian invasion hosted by the kingdom.
“Beginning of his first visit to Saudi Arabia to enhance bilateral relations and Ukraine’s relations with the Arab world. Political prisoners in Crimea and temporarily occupied territories, return of our people, peace formula, and energy cooperation. KS A plays an important role and we are ready to take our cooperation to a new level,” Zielinski posted on his Twitter account.
Addressing the summit in his military-inspired outfit, Ukraine’s president said: “I believe we can all unite to save people from Russian prison cages.”
He added: “We will not surrender to any foreign country or colonialism. Our goal is to protect the Ukrainian people. Ukraine has not chosen war and any kind of hostilities within the territory of other countries. Not involved.
The president added that “what is happening in our country is a war, not just a conflict, Ukraine is forced to continue fighting”.
Zelenskiy also met with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who has previously expressed willingness to mediate in the war between Russia and Ukraine.
“The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia plays an important role and we are ready to take our cooperation to a new level,” Zelenskiy wrote on Twitter after arriving in Jeddah.
The Ukrainian leader was welcomed by the kingdom. “Welcome, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky, guest of the 32nd Regular Session in Jeddah,” the Saudi Foreign Ministry wrote on Twitter.
Ukraine’s ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Anatoly Petrenko, said Zelensky’s visit was a milestone for Ukraine-Arab relations.
“The Global South and Ukraine continue to develop their ties while strengthening efforts to effectively address critical issues of global and regional importance,” the ambassador wrote in a social media post.