In brief
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is set to meet with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman as part of his efforts to rebuild ties with the U.S. and negotiate a peace deal to end the ongoing war with Russia.
In a significant diplomatic move, President Zelensky is scheduled to meet with Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in Riyadh, positioning the Kingdom as a key player in international negotiations to resolve the Russia-Ukraine conflict. This meeting comes ahead of separate discussions between Ukrainian and U.S. officials slated for the following day.Crown Prince Mohammed, once viewed unfavorably due to human rights allegations, has worked to enhance Saudi Arabia's diplomatic presence, recently playing an essential role in a U.S.-Russia prisoner swap. The prince is now facilitating talks aimed at addressing the ongoing war in Ukraine, which began three years ago with Russia's invasion.After postponing a previous visit to Saudi Arabia, Zelensky expressed his commitment on social media to achieving a "just and lasting peace." He emphasized Ukraine's consistent quest for peace since the beginning of the conflict and highlighted the importance of moving quickly to implement realistic proposals for resolution.This series of diplomatic meetings underscores the complexities of international relations as concerned parties seek to navigate the uncertain landscape resulting from the war.
