Saudi Crown Prince, Zelenskyy Discuss Ukraine-Russia Crisis

Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Crown Prince and Prime Minister of Saudi Arabia, receives Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Riyadh on Tuesday. (SPA)
Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Crown Prince and Prime Minister of Saudi Arabia, receives Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Riyadh on Tuesday. (SPA)
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Saudi Crown Prince, Zelenskyy Discuss Ukraine-Russia Crisis

Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Crown Prince and Prime Minister of Saudi Arabia, receives Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Riyadh on Tuesday. (SPA)
Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Crown Prince and Prime Minister of Saudi Arabia, receives Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Riyadh on Tuesday. (SPA)

Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Crown Prince and Prime Minister of Saudi Arabia, stressed on Tuesday the Kingdom’s keenness on supporting all international efforts aimed at resolving the Ukrainian-Russian crisis to restore peace.

Crown Prince Mohammed received Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Riyadh.

He added that Saudi Arabia will continue efforts to ease the impact of the humanitarian crisis caused by the conflict.

Crown Prince Mohammed and Zelenskyy discussed cooperation between their countries and the latest developments in the conflict.

Zelenskyy praised Saudi Arabia’s efforts towards resolving the crisis.

Ukraine continues to “rely on Saudi Arabia's ongoing active support” in pushing forward with what has been described as a “Peace Formula” to end the full-scale invasion, which marked its second anniversary over the weekend, Zelenskyy said in a message on X, formerly Twitter, before he arrived in Riyadh.

Zelenskyy has presented a 10-point peace formula that, among other things, seeks the expulsion of all Russian forces from Ukraine and accountability for war crimes — at a time when the two sides are fighting from largely static positions along a roughly 1,500-kilometer (930-mile) front line. Such ideas are rejected out of hand by Moscow.   

“The second topic is the return of POWs and deportees,” Zelenskyy wrote. “The Kingdom’s leadership has already contributed to the release of our people. I am confident that this meeting will also yield results.”    

He added that economic cooperation also would be discussed in Saudi Arabia.

The Kingdom has previously acted as a mediator in prisoner swaps between Ukraine and Russia.



Saudi Arabia Bids Farewell to Last Pilgrims from Madinah Airport

7,700 flights through six airports transported foreign pilgrims to Saudi Arabia for Hajj (SPA)
7,700 flights through six airports transported foreign pilgrims to Saudi Arabia for Hajj (SPA)
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Saudi Arabia Bids Farewell to Last Pilgrims from Madinah Airport

7,700 flights through six airports transported foreign pilgrims to Saudi Arabia for Hajj (SPA)
7,700 flights through six airports transported foreign pilgrims to Saudi Arabia for Hajj (SPA)

The last group of pilgrims from this year’s Hajj season departed Saudi Arabia on Sunday aboard a Saudia flight from Prince Mohammad bin Abdulaziz International Airport in Madinah.

The flight carried 320 pilgrims to Kertajati, Indonesia, after they completed their Hajj rituals. Saudia, the Kingdom’s flag carrier, hosted a farewell ceremony, concluding its 74-day Hajj operations.

The first flight for this year’s Hajj season arrived in Madinah on May 9 from India with 283 pilgrims.

They were welcomed by the Minister of Transport and Logistics Services and the Deputy Minister of Hajj and Umrah.

Saudi Arabia facilitated 7,700 flights through six airports and provided over 27,000 buses to ease pilgrim transportation. The Haramain High-Speed Railway operated more than 5,000 trips during the season.

Over 1.8 million pilgrims participated in the last Hajj season. Health Minister Fahad Al-Jalajel confirmed there were no health issues or outbreaks.

The organization of Hajj was praised by leaders of Arab and Islamic countries.

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi commended the excellent organization and services provided to millions of pilgrims.

Bahraini King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa praised the meticulous organization and services.

Kuwaiti Emir Sheikh Mishal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah appreciated the modern smart services and technologies.

UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed highlighted the success of Saudi Arabia’s Hajj management.