Saudi Arabia hosts U.S.-Ukraine talks in Jeddah

Under the directives of His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister of Saudi Arabia, Saudi Arabia facilitated talks between the United States and Ukraine in Jeddah. These talks aimed to find ways to resolve the Ukrainian crisis, reflecting Saudi Arabia's active role in international affairs.

The meeting was attended by Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah and Minister of State and Cabinet Member Dr. Musaed bin Mohammed Al-Aiban. The U.S. delegation included Secretary of State Marco Rubio and National Security Advisor Mike Waltz, while Ukraine was represented by Head of the Presidential Office Andriy Yermak, Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha, and Defense Minister Rustem Umerov.

These discussions are an integral part of the Kingdom's efforts to resolve the Ukrainian crisis, highlighting Saudi Arabia's balanced relations with all parties and its commitment to promoting international security and peace. Saudi Arabia is dedicated to upholding international law and standards, believing that dialogue is the most effective method for resolving conflicts and bridging differing viewpoints, ultimately strengthening international security and stability.

On Tuesday, Saudi Arabia and Ukraine issued a joint statement detailing their intention to promote economic cooperation and trade relations. Both countries also expressed great enthusiasm for the re-establishment of the Saudi-Ukrainian Business Council in 2025, following an official visit to Saudi Arabia by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy the previous day.

His Royal Highness Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud welcomed President Zelenskyy at Al-Salam Palace in Jeddah, where they held official talks. During the meeting, the two leaders reviewed the strong relations between their countries and expressed their commitment to strengthening cooperation in various fields. President Zelenskyy congratulated Crown Prince Mohammed on Riyadh's successful bid to host the 2030 World Expo and the Kingdom's election as host of the 2034 FIFA World Cup.

The two leaders commended the robust economic ties between Saudi Arabia and Ukraine, emphasizing the importance of joint efforts to increase trade volume, which grew by 9% in 2024. They acknowledged the need to address challenges hindering the development of trade relations and underscored the importance of enhancing official visits, facilitating mutual trade and investment delegations, and promoting joint venture projects. They also explored the potential opportunities presented by Saudi Arabia's "Vision 2030" and Ukraine's reconstruction initiatives.