Upon the directives of His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, Saudi Arabia facilitated discussions between the United States and Ukraine in Jeddah.
The event was attended by Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah and Saudi Minister of State and Cabinet Member Dr. Musaed bin Mohammed Al-Aiban.
The U.S. delegation featured Secretary of State Marco Rubio and National Security Advisor Mike Waltz, while Ukraine was represented by Head of the Office of the President Andriy Yermak, Minister for Foreign Affairs Andrii Sybiha, and Defense Minister Rustem Umerov.
These discussions are integral to the Kingdom’s endeavors to address the crisis in Ukraine, underscored by its balanced relationships with various parties and its commitment to promoting international security and peace. This dedication arises from the Kingdom’s conviction in upholding international laws and standards, where dialogue is regarded as the most effective method to resolve conflicts and bridge differing perspectives, ultimately enhancing international security and stability.
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Strengthening trade relations
On Tuesday, Saudi Arabia and Ukraine released a joint statement detailing their intentions to drive economic cooperation and trade relations. The two nations also expressed enthusiasm for the forthcoming reestablishment of the Saudi-Ukrainian Business Council in 2025, following Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s official visit to Saudi Arabia the previous day.
His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, welcomed President Zelenskyy at Al-Salam Palace in Jeddah, where they engaged in an official discussion.
During their meeting, the leaders reflected on the strong ties between their nations and conveyed their commitment to enhancing collaboration across various sectors. President Zelenskyy congratulated Prince Mohammed on Riyadh’s successful bid to host the World Expo 2030, as well as the Kingdom’s selection to host the FIFA World Cup 2034.
The two leaders praised the robust economic connections between Saudi Arabia and Ukraine, highlighting the significance of joint efforts to increase trade volume, which saw a growth rate of 9 percent in 2024. They acknowledged the need to address challenges hindering the development of trade relations and emphasized the importance of intensifying official visits, facilitating mutual trade and investment delegations, and promoting joint projects. They also explored potential opportunities arising from Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 and Ukraine’s reconstruction initiatives.
