President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, met with Crown Prince and Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Mohammed bin Salman, during his official visit to Saudi Arabia.
The meeting, held in Jeddah, focused on security issues, diplomatic initiatives, and economic cooperation.
Reports indicate that the discussion centered around efforts for the peaceful settlement of the ongoing war in Ukraine.
Zelenskyy emphasized the significance of addressing the return of prisoners of war and deported children, highlighting that this could serve as a critical step in building trust for peace initiatives. The leaders also delved into the details of future security guarantees.
A significant portion of the conversation was dedicated to strengthening economic ties. President Zelenskyy acknowledged Saudi Arabia’s keen interest in investing in Ukraine, specifically in sectors such as security, energy, and infrastructure.
Zelenskyy remarked: “We appreciate Saudi Arabia’s willingness to develop economic cooperation and invest in Ukraine. We discussed key sectors for investment, starting with security, energy, and infrastructure. We also see opportunities for economic growth through reconstruction in Ukraine.”
Zelenskyy confirmed that the Ukrainian team remains in Jeddah, working closely with the U.S. team. “We are hoping for a practical result. The Ukrainian position at the meeting will be absolutely constructive,” he added.
Background:
President Zelenskyy’s plane landed in Saudi Arabia at 16:40 on Monday, March 10, at King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah. Early reports suggest that the Ukrainian delegation included Andrii Yermak, head of the Office of the President; his deputy Pavlo Palisa; Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha; and Defence Minister Rustem Umerov.
Earlier, Reuters reported that U.S. officials were planning to use a meeting with the Ukrainian delegation on March 11 in Saudi Arabia to assess whether Ukraine is ready to make material concessions to Russia to bring an end to the war. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio expressed that any potential agreement would likely require territorial concessions from Ukraine.
Steven Witkoff, President Trump’s Special Envoy for the Middle East, has stated that the United States expects significant progress in the talks scheduled for March 11. Secretary Rubio also expressed hope that the suspension of military aid to Ukraine could be addressed during the talks in Saudi Arabia.
Source: Press Service for the Office of the President of Ukraine
