Saudi crown prince, Russia president discuss Ukraine crisis

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman today discussed the developments of the Ukraine crisis with Russian President Vladimir Putin, as part of the kingdom’s ongoing efforts to resolve the ongoing Moscow-Kyiv conflict, according to local media.

The conversation was held over the phone, which came after a meeting in the Saudi city of Jeddah earlier this week between Ukrainian and US officials aimed at ending the Moscow-Kyiv war, according to the Saudi Press Agency (SPA).

SPA reported that Bin Salman reviewed with Putin “the existing areas of cooperation between the two countries and ways to develop them, as well as efforts to resolve the Ukraine crisis.”

The crown prince emphasised the kingdom’s “commitment to making every effort to facilitate dialogue and to reach a political solution to the crisis in Ukraine.”

Meanwhile, Putin renewed “his appreciation and gratitude for Saudi Arabia’s constructive efforts,” according to the same source.

On Tuesday, Bin Salman met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

The meeting between Bin Salman and Putin coincided with the launch of the US-Ukrainian talks in Jeddah aimed at discussing a potential ceasefire between Kyiv and Moscow, led by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha.

Following the talks, Saudi state media reported that Ukraine had agreed to a US proposal for a month-long ceasefire with Russia. However, Zelenskyy yesterday expressed doubts about Putin’s commitment to such an agreement.

Putin said yesterday that Russia was willing to consider ceasefire proposals, provided they guarantee long-term peace and address the issues that led to the crisis.

On 24 February 2022, Russia launched a military offensive against Ukraine. Moscow demands Kyiv abandon aspirations to join Western military alliances as a condition for peace, a stance Ukraine views as “interference” in its sovereignty.

The mediation wars: how Turkiye and Saudi Arabia compete for the Ukraine file