Zelensky meets with Saudi FM, thanks Riyadh for its support

Saudi Arabia and Ukraine signed an agreement and a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to provide $400 million in humanitarian aid to the war-torn European country.

This is in fulfillment of a promise made by the Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman during his phone call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in October 2022 to provide an additional humanitarian aid package for Ukraine.

The signing ceremony coincided with Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan's visit to Ukraine and his meeting with Zelensky.

Prince Faisal bin Farhan and Director of the Office of the President of Ukraine Andriy Yarmak attended the signing ceremony of agreements and MoUs worth up to $400 million between the Kingdom and Ukraine.

The agreement includes a joint cooperation program to provide humanitarian aid from the Kingdom to Ukraine, amounting to $100 million.

Advisor to the Royal Court and General Supervisor of the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSRelief). Abdullah Al-Rabiyyah and Ukraine's Deputy Prime Minister for Reconstruction - Minister of Communities, Regions and Infrastructure Development of Ukraine Oleksandr Kubrakov signed the agreement.

The MoU includes the financing of $300 million worth of oil derivatives as a grant from the Saudi Arabian government through the Saudi Fund for Development on behalf of Ukraine.

Earlier, Zelensky welcomed Prince Faisal and his accompanying delegation at the President's residence in the capital. At the beginning of the meeting, Prince Faisal greeted the President, Government, and people of Ukraine, the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman, and the Crown Prince.

Zelensky expressed his greetings and gratitude to King Salman, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and the government and people of Saudi Arabia.

During the reception, they reviewed bilateral relations between the two countries and ways to further promote them. They also discussed several regional and international issues of common concern.

The Foreign Minister reiterated the Kingdom's interest and support for all international efforts aimed at a political solution to the Ukrainian-Russian crisis and continued efforts to contribute to mitigating the resulting humanitarian impacts.

The reception was attended by Saudi Fund for Development CEO Dr. Abdullah Al-Rabiyyah, Sultan Al-Murshid, Saudi Ambassador to Ukraine Muhammad Al-Jabreen, and Director General of the Foreign Minister's Office Abdul Rahman Al-Dawood.

Prince Faisal also met with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba. During the meeting, they discussed the latest developments in the Ukraine crisis.

The Saudi Foreign Minister emphasized the Kingdom's support for everything that contributes to de-escalation, protection of civilians, serious pursuit of negotiated political solutions, and support for all international efforts aimed at resolving the political crisis.

The signing of the agreement and memorandum of understanding reflects the Saudi government's interest in helping Ukraine and its friendly people contribute to mitigating the social and economic challenges the country is going through and the resulting humanitarian impacts.