Saudi Arabia reveals position on Ukraine conflict,Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan expressed that Riyadh and other Arab nations are adopting a neutral position in the conflict between Ukraine and Russia and aim to maintain relationships with both parties. Following the Arab League summit in Jeddah, where Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky was in attendance, the minister made this statement.
He mentioned that since the onset of the crisis, Arab countries have taken a stance of positive neutrality by initiating dialogues with both Russian and Ukrainian parties while ensuring the preservation of Arab relations with both sides. Furthermore, he emphasized the importance of hearing the perspectives of both Russia and Ukraine in the ongoing conflict.
Without specifically naming any particular nations, the Ukrainian leader asserted that certain Arab countries have been overlooking Moscow’s “illegal annexations.”
Saudi Arabia has chosen not to participate in Western sanctions against Moscow, which encompass efforts to restrict its energy exports. The kingdom’s continued cooperation with Russia via OPEC+, a coalition of oil-exporting nations, has drawn criticism from the United States.
Riyadh has expressed hope that it could broker a resolution to the conflict, pledging to maintain trade and diplomatic ties with both Russia and Ukraine.
After meeting with Zelensky earlier on Friday, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman spoke about “the kingdom’s readiness to continue mediating efforts between Russia and Ukraine.” He said he would “support all international efforts aimed at resolving the crisis politically in a way that contributes to achieving security.”
The Saudi foreign minister visited Kiev and Moscow for high-level talks in 2022, and later said that bin Salman was involved in negotiating a prisoner swap between the two sides last September, which he hailed as a “humanitarian breakthrough.”
