Ukrainian Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Anatolii Petrenko revealed that his country was preparing to hold its second peace summit.
In remarks to Asharq Al-Awsat, he said President Volodymyr Zelenskyy had stressed that Kyiv will work with its main partners over security consultations and coordination conferences that would lead to a comprehensive peace plan approved by the international community.
Ukraine appreciates its partnership with Saudi Arabia, stated the ambassador, adding that this relationship was a diplomatic priority to Kyiv.
He emphasized that Ukraine greatly appreciates Saudi Arabia’s mediation efforts that led to a prisoner swap in September 2022. The move helped bolster Saudi Arabia’s reputation in the world.
“Our main common goal revolves around man,” said the ambassador, who urged the return of all arbitrarily arrested prisoners and detainees, as well as the displaced.
“This is a mission in which our efforts are united with Saudi Arabia’s”, Petrenko remarked.
Moreover, he noted that Saudi Arabia is maintaining a focused foreign policy, by condemning “the barbaric war crimes committed by the Russian forces in Ukraine, especially those committed against our children and civilians.”
“Saudi Arabia constantly supports Ukraine, politically and operationally, as part of our efforts to restore the unity of our territories and sovereignty,” he added.
Furthermore, Petrenko said that despite the international community’s efforts, “war crimes and international human rights violations are still being committed by Russia.”
Zelenskyy has paid three visits to Saudi Arabia since the eruption of Russia’s war on Ukraine in February 2022. He met with Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, who underscored the Kingdom’s keenness on and support to all international efforts aimed at ending the conflict.
The leaders also discussed means to ease the humanitarian impact of the war, while Zelenskyy voiced his appreciation to Saudi Arabia’s efforts to that end.
Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah also paid a visit to Ukraine in February 2023, the first by a Saudi FM since its independence 30 years ago. He met with Zelenskyy and several Ukrainian officials.
Saudi Arabia also continues to send tons of humanitarian aid to the Ukrainian people through the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center.
