Saudi Foreign Minister visiting Kyiv
Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud in the Mariinsky Palace in Kyiv, February 26, 2022 (Photo:Office of the President)
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud in Kyiv on Feb. 26, according to a video ofthe meeting at the Mariinskyi Palace published on the President's social media pages.
This is the first official visit of the foreign minister of the Middle Eastern country to Ukraine since the establishment of diplomatic relations.
"I expect that it will provide a new impetus to further intensification of our mutually beneficial dialogue," Zelenskyy wrote on Telegram.
"Thank you for supporting peace in Ukraine, our sovereignty, and territorial integrity! This is very important to us and our society."
Zelenskyy and his guest held talks in an expanded format. In particular, they discussed the implementation of the Ukrainian peace formula, Riyadh's involvement in the Ukrainian initiative to supply grain to Africa, and the Saudi side's participation in the post-war rebuilding of Ukraine, the website of the Office of the President said.
Zelenskyy’s chief-of-staff Andriy Yermak stated that two documents were signed during the visit, formalizing the $400 million aid package from Saudi Arabia: $100 million in humanitarian aid and $300 million in oil products.
Yermak also noted that Saudi Arabia supported the UN resolution on sustainable peace in Ukraine during the vote a few days before.
In September 2022, the most high-profile prisoner exchange in the entire period of Russia's war against Ukraine took place with the mediation of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. Back then, 215 Ukrainians, including commanders and soldiers of the Azov Regiment who defended Mariupol, were exchanged for Putin's crony Viktor Medvedchuk and 55 Russian soldiers.
In addition to the Ukrainian military, 10 foreigners who had fought on the side of the Ukrainian Armed Forces were released. They were taken to Saudi Arabia.
The Saudi Crown Prince also told Zelenskyy that Riyadh was ready to mediate in the war.
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