Riyadh
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky made an unannounced visit to Saudi Arabia on Wednesday and said he discussed preparations for this weekend's peace summit with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
Zelenskiy arrived in the Red Sea city of Jeddah for his latest visit to the Gulf kingdom, which has sought to remain neutral in the war between Ukraine and Russia.
In a social media post, he said he had “lively talks” with the Saudi de facto ruler.
“We also discussed preparations for the first World Peace Summit, its expected outcomes and feasibility, as well as ways to bring true peace to Ukraine.”
President Zelenskyy has been traveling around the world in recent weeks garnering support and participation in a peace summit due to be held in Switzerland this weekend.
He visited traditional allies in the European Union as well as countries in the Middle East and Asia that have closer ties with Russia.
Earlier this month, he visited Singapore, the Philippines and Qatar.
Representatives from around 90 countries are due to meet in Switzerland to discuss Kiev's plan to end the war.
President Zelensky personally visited many government officials and persuaded them to attend.
Saudi Arabia, the world's largest crude exporter, cooperates closely with Moscow on oil policy and, since Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022, has emphasized its ties with both Moscow and Kiev, positioning itself as a possible mediator in the war.
Gulf diplomats told AFP last week they had not yet confirmed whether Saudi Arabia would take part in the summit.
The summit comes as Russia has made some advances on the battlefield in eastern Ukraine and as Kiev's forces struggle with shortages of troops and ammunition.
“Multipolar” Diplomacy
President Zelensky called on Ukraine's allies to step up supplies of air defense equipment to Kiev.
As Zelenskiy arrived in Saudi Arabia on Wednesday, the Kiev government said eight people had been killed and more than two dozen wounded in a Russian attack on his hometown of Krivi Rig.
In September 2022, Riyadh played a surprising role in brokering the release of foreign fighters held in Ukraine, including two Americans and five British nationals.
A Saudi official said in March 2023 that Riyadh remained ready to contribute to mediation, especially on “significant smaller issues that could ultimately contribute cumulatively to a political solution to the overall issue.”
In May 2023, President Zelenskyy attended an Arab League summit in Jeddah and accused some leaders of “turning a blind eye” to the horror of Russian aggression.
Saudi Arabia hosted talks on the war last August bringing together representatives from more than 40 countries, excluding Russia.
Saudi officials said at the time that the meeting, which also included officials from China and Brazil, was intended to underscore the country's “multipolar” approach to foreign policy.
Zelensky visited Saudi Arabia in February and discussed a peace plan and a possible prisoner exchange with Crown Prince Mohammed.
Saudi Arabia has pledged hundreds of millions of dollars in relief funds to Ukraine, including allocations for Ukrainian refugees in neighboring countries.
