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Gulf

Saudi-Ukrainian Talks Discuss ‘World Peace Summit’

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman during his reception of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia (SPA)
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman during his reception of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia (SPA)
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Saudi-Ukrainian Talks Discuss ‘World Peace Summit’

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman during his reception of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia (SPA)
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman during his reception of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia (SPA)

Ukraine’s presidency revealed on Wednesday talks with Saudi Arabia, focusing on the upcoming high-level peace conference in Switzerland next summer, amidst ongoing Russian military actions.
Andriy Yermak, the head of the Ukrainian president’s office, recently held a phone call conversation with Saudi National Security Adviser Musaad Al-Aiban, appreciating their ongoing dialogue.
Yermak also thanked Al-Aiban for the continued implementation of agreements reached between Ukraine and the Kingdom.
According to the presidency, the two officials discussed the organization of the summit in Switzerland and Saudi Arabia’s readiness to contribute to achieving lasting peace.
Following Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s recent trip to Saudi Arabia, the two countries are engaging in talks for the second time in less than a year.
During his visit, Zelensky received assurances from Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman about Saudi Arabia’s commitment to international efforts to resolve the Ukrainian-Russian crisis politically.
Last May, Saudi Arabia hosted Zelensky as a guest at the Arab Summit in Jeddah, where Arab leaders gathered.
Zelensky praised Saudi Arabia’s role in mediating prisoner releases and outlined his ten-point peace plan aimed at involving more countries.
Last August, a meeting in Jeddah gathered national security advisers and representatives from over 40 countries and international organizations, including the United Nations.
Led by Al-Aiban, they discussed the Ukrainian crisis and agreed to continue international consultations for peace. Kyiv appreciated Saudi Arabia’s hosting of the meeting.
Meanwhile, Saudi relief planes, operated by the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre, continue to fly to Ukraine, with thirteen planes having arrived so far.
Yermak also stated on Sunday that Ukraine and its allies might ask Russia to join a peace summit in the coming months to discuss ending the two-year-long war, on Kyiv’s terms.
Media reports suggest Switzerland will host the global summit next summer to discuss the peace plan proposed by Ukraine’s Zelensky.
Political researcher Ghassan Ibrahim sees Ukraine relying on Saudi Arabia’s role in achieving peace and easing tensions with Russia.
Speaking to Asharq Al-Awsat, Ibrahim noted Saudi Arabia’s neutral stance, humanitarian aid to Ukraine, and mediation efforts for prisoner releases as reasons for its significant position in the Ukrainian-Russian crisis.

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Gulf

Makkah Pact Committee to Meet in Riyadh on Monday

The first meeting of the Makkah Joint Defense Agreement’s Strategic Political and Defense Committee met in Istanbul on Aug. 31. Photo: Saudi Defense Ministry
The first meeting of the Makkah Joint Defense Agreement’s Strategic Political and Defense Committee met in Istanbul on Aug. 31. Photo: Saudi Defense Ministry
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Makkah Pact Committee to Meet in Riyadh on Monday

The first meeting of the Makkah Joint Defense Agreement’s Strategic Political and Defense Committee met in Istanbul on Aug. 31. Photo: Saudi Defense Ministry
The first meeting of the Makkah Joint Defense Agreement’s Strategic Political and Defense Committee met in Istanbul on Aug. 31. Photo: Saudi Defense Ministry

A committee of the Makkah Defense Pact between Saudi Arabia, Türkiye and Pakistan will hold talks in Riyadh on Monday.

The meeting is expected to bring together the defense and foreign ministers as well as the army chiefs of staff of the three countries.

The official Turkish Anadolu Agency, citing sources in the Turkish Foreign Ministry, reported that the Turkish side is scheduled to present its vision during the meeting regarding the institutionalization process of the alliance and future steps.

It will also offer an assessment of the threats facing peace and stability in the Middle East and emphasize the importance of the progress made in the alliance's work within a short period as an important factor toward achieving lasting stability in the region, in addition to expressing Ankara's stance supporting Riyadh in facing Houthi attacks.

Istanbul hosted the first meeting of the agreement’s Strategic Political and Defense Committee on Aug. 31, bringing together the foreign and defense ministers and military chiefs of staff of Saudi Arabia, Türkiye and Pakistan.

During the meeting, the three countries reaffirmed their determination to work together under the Makkah agreement to achieve sustainable peace and stability in their region and continue supporting efforts to promote de-escalation and restraint.

They encouraged peaceful solutions to crises in line with their commitment to fulfilling their regional responsibilities.

Political analyst specializing in international affairs, Ahmed Al-Ibrahim, says holding the second meeting of the Strategic Political and Defense Committee in Riyadh less than two weeks after the first meeting in Istanbul clearly demonstrates the transition of coordination among the three countries into a phase of joint action.

Political analyst Faisal Al-Shammeri expects that, in light of new developments - specifically the announcement by Yemeni Presidential Leadership Council Chairman Rashad Al-Alimi on the launch of military operations to liberate the remaining Yemeni territories - the meeting will form a real foundation for the upcoming phase.

Gulf

King Salman Invites Qatar’s Emir to Participate in Second GCC-EU Summit

Qatar's Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani receives the Saudi ambassador in Doha (QNA).
Qatar's Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani receives the Saudi ambassador in Doha (QNA).
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King Salman Invites Qatar’s Emir to Participate in Second GCC-EU Summit

Qatar's Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani receives the Saudi ambassador in Doha (QNA).
Qatar's Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani receives the Saudi ambassador in Doha (QNA).

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud sent a written message to Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, inviting him to participate in the second Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC)-European Union (EU) Summit, which Saudi Arabia will host in October.

The message was delivered by Saudi Ambassador to Qatar Prince Saad bin Mansour bin Saad during the Emir's reception of him at his office at Lusail Palace, SPA reported.

The ambassador conveyed to the Emir the greetings of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, along with his wishes for continued health and happiness and for the Qatari people to enjoy further progress and prosperity.

For his part, the Qatari Emir asked the ambassador to convey his greetings to his brother, the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, along with his wishes for continued health and well-being and for the Saudi people to enjoy continued prosperity and progress.

During the reception, the two sides reviewed the fraternal relations between the two countries and ways to develop and strengthen them.

Gulf

Saudi Arabia Provides $59.7 Million to Support Yemen's Budget, Salaries

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud and Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Crown Prince and Prime Minister. (SPA)
Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud and Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Crown Prince and Prime Minister. (SPA)
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Saudi Arabia Provides $59.7 Million to Support Yemen's Budget, Salaries

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud and Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Crown Prince and Prime Minister. (SPA)
Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud and Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Crown Prince and Prime Minister. (SPA)

Under the leadership's directives, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, through the Saudi Development and Reconstruction Program for Yemen (SDRPY), has provided a new financial installment of more than $59.7 million to support the Yemeni state budget.

The funding is designated to cover operational expenses and salaries, reflecting the Kingdom's ongoing commitment to supporting stability and development for the brotherly Yemeni people.

The support aims to ensure the regular flow of government funds and salary payments and to improve the efficiency of fiscal policy, putting economic and social development on a more sustainable path. It is also expected to boost purchasing power, stabilize household incomes, and revive commercial markets.

Saudi Arabia is Yemen's largest supporter across the humanitarian, development, and economic fields. Its development and economic interventions totaled more than $12.6 billion between 2012 and 2026. These interventions include deposits and grants to the Central Bank of Yemen aimed at achieving fiscal balance and supporting macroeconomic stability. They have been a cornerstone in strengthening Yemeni institutions' capacity to continue delivering services and easing economic and social pressures.

To date, SDRPY has implemented 300 development projects and initiatives across eight vital sectors in Yemen, upgrading infrastructure, improving public services, building local institutional capacity, and creating job opportunities.