- MBS, Zelenskyy meet in Saudi
- Discuss Ukraine peace, POWs return
- Saudi mediates Ukraine-Russia crisis
Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS) and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy have met in Saudi Arabia in an effort to secure an end to the invasion of Ukraine and the repatriation of Russian prisoners of war.
According to a statement on Zelenskyy’s website, the president thanked MBS for his mediation services and stated that the two men discussed a Ukrainian plan to terminate the conflict.
The statement read, “The head of state [Zelenskyy] highlighted Saudi Arabia’s efforts to assist in the restoration of a just peace in Ukraine in particular.” “The leadership of Saudi Arabia can assist in finding a just solution.”
MBS “affirmed the Kingdom’s keenness and support for all international endeavours and efforts to resolve the Ukrainian-Russian crisis,” according to the state-run Saudi Press Agency.
It was subsequently stated that Zelenskyy had departed Saudi Arabia.
MBS has endeavoured to establish himself as a prospective mediator in an effort to resolve the conflict between Russia and Ukraine, despite the fact that Riyadh maintains strong ties with Russia regarding energy policies through the OPEC+ alliance.
Tuesday’s excursion by Zelenskyy coincided with the gradual retreat of Ukrainian forces in eastern Ukraine. According to military analysts, Russia has taken the initiative because of its substantial advantage in troop and weapon supplies. Kyiv is currently awaiting updates on new provisions from its Western allies.
According to a Ukrainian army spokesman, the military withdrew its forces from two additional villages near Avdiivka in the eastern Donetsk region on Tuesday, following intense combat overnight.
The Ukrainian forces have retreated from Sieverne and Stepove, according to national television’s Dmytro Lykhovyi. He stated that the total population of the two villages prior to the full-scale invasion was approximately one hundred.
Zelenskyy stated in a message on X that Ukraine “continues to rely on Saudi Arabia’s ongoing active support” in advancing with a “Peace Formula” to end the full-scale invasion, which recently completed its second anniversary.
Zelenskyy has put forth a ten-point peace formula which, among other objectives, demands the withdrawal of all Russian forces from Ukraine and the establishment of accountability for war crimes. This comes at a time when both parties are operating from relatively immobile positions along a front line spanning approximately 1,500 kilometres (930 miles). These concepts are categorically condemned by Moscow.
Saudi’s Diplomatic Moves Explored
Zelenskyy wrote, “The return of POWs and deportees is the second subject.” “Previously, the leadership of the kingdom assisted in the liberation of our people. “I am certain that this meeting will produce results as well.”
The SPA reported that MBS met with Russian State Duma Speaker Vyacheslav Volodin on Monday, where they discussed “developments of common concern” and methods to enhance parliamentary cooperation.
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MBS, the de facto leader of Saudi Arabia, has pursued a peace agreement with Yemen’s Houthi militants, reached a detente with Iran, and offered to lead other global crises in recent years.
Saudi Arabia has encountered extensive global censure due to its participation in the Yemen conflict and the 2018 assassination of Washington Post columnist Jamal Khashoggi, an allegation that US intelligence agencies attribute to MBS but which the kingdom refutes.
Zelenskyy visited Saudi Arabia in May for a summit of Arab leaders, during which he also engaged in a meeting with MBS.
Since the outbreak of war in 2022, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates—all neighbours on the Arabian Peninsula—have been engaged in prisoner exchanges.
