Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky Makes Unannounced Trip to Saudi Arabia

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During the evening hours of June 12, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky took to social media to reveal his arrival in Saudi Arabia, which marked a surprise visit to the kingdom.

Through his social media channels, Zelensky informed about his “meaningful and vibrant discussion with Crown Prince Muhammad bin Salman al Saud.”

The dialogue centered on the bilateral ties between the nations and the anticipation surrounding the imminent peace conference, slated for June 15-16.

Zelensky expressed satisfaction with the “positive trajectory in the fulfillment of the commitments previously established,” assuring that this progress “will be maintained.”

Previously, in August 2023, Saudi Arabia was the venue for an international conference aimed at advancing a peace initiative. Additionally, the kingdom has had a significant influence in brokering deals for prisoner exchanges with Russia, facilitating a substantial swap in September 2022 which involved nearly 300 individuals.

February marked the last instance of a meeting between Zelensky and bin Salman.

Explainer: Unpacking the Global Peace Summit in Switzerland and Ukraine’s Aspirations

With the third year of Russia’s blatant incursion underway, Ukraine sees international support for its peace initiative as a vital objective for the upcoming global peace convention on June 15-16. The summit, which has excluded Russia and faced outright dismissal of Ukraine’s peace efforts by Russia, has garnered the support of 107 nations thus far.

The Kyiv IndependentAndrea Januta

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FAQ Section

Why did President Zelensky visit Saudi Arabia?

Zelensky visited Saudi Arabia for a surprise discussion on bilateral relations and the upcoming global peace summit scheduled for June 15-16.

What was the outcome of Zelensky’s meeting with Crown Prince Muhammad bin Salman?

The meeting was reportedly productive, with Zelensky highlighting the positive developments in previous agreements and the intention to sustain progress.

Has Saudi Arabia been involved in Ukrainian peace processes before?

Yes, Saudi Arabia hosted an international summit on a peace initiative in August 2023 and has been instrumental in negotiating prisoner exchanges with Russia.

How significant was the prisoner swap facilitated by Saudi Arabia?

The September 2022 prisoner exchange orchestrated with Saudi Arabia’s help involved nearly 300 prisoners.

When was the last meeting before this surprise visit between Zelensky and bin Salman?

The previous encounter between President Zelensky and Crown Prince Muhammad bin Salman took place in February.