His Excellency the President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelensky, left Jeddah today, after a working visit to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, during which he held important talks with His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister.
At King Abdulaziz International Airport, His Excellency was seen off by His Royal Highness Prince Saud bin Mishaal bin Abdulaziz, Deputy Governor of Makkah Region, His Excellency the Mayor of Jeddah, Saleh Al-Turki, the Ambassador of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques to the Republic of Ukraine, Mohammed bin Abdulaziz Al-Jabreen, the Ambassador of Ukraine to the Kingdom, Anatoliy Petrenko, the Director of Makkah Region Police, Major General Saleh Al-Jabri, and the Director General of the Royal Protocol Office in Makkah Region, Ahmed Abdullah bin Thafir.
General context and historical background of the visit
This visit comes amidst ongoing diplomatic efforts by Ukraine to garner international support in the face of the Russian invasion that began in February 2022. Saudi Arabia is a pivotal player on the international stage, not only because of its economic and political weight in the Middle East, but also because of its balanced relations with various global powers, including Russia, China, and Western countries. Through these visits, Kyiv seeks to explain its vision for peace and to rally support for the 10-point “peace formula” proposed by President Zelensky, which aims to end the war and restore Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
The importance of the event and its expected impact
President Zelensky's visit to the Kingdom is of paramount strategic importance. The Kingdom has played a prominent humanitarian and diplomatic role since the beginning of the crisis, and its mediation in September 2022 successfully facilitated the largest prisoner exchange between Russia and Ukraine, involving citizens of several countries. Furthermore, in August 2023, Jeddah hosted a meeting of national security advisors from more than 40 countries to discuss the Ukrainian crisis, further solidifying its role as a neutral platform for international dialogue.
Internationally, this visit reflects Ukraine's efforts to broaden its support base beyond its traditional Western allies and to engage with countries in the Global South, where the Kingdom wields significant influence. The talks are expected to bolster support for the World Peace Conference hosted by Switzerland, a pivotal step in Kyiv's diplomatic strategy. The visit also underscores the Kingdom's growing role as an effective peace broker and a diplomatic force striving for regional and global stability.
