Friday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced he had initiated a visit to Saudi Arabia, where he will reportedly address an Arab leaders’ summit.
In a tweet, Zelenskyy expressed his desire to “enhance bilateral relations and Ukraine’s ties with the Arab world.”
Zelenskyy stated that he will meet with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and engage in additional bilateral discussions.
He also mentioned Russia’s annexation of Crimea, a peace “formula” for the conflict that began following Moscow’s full-scale invasion in February 2022, and energy cooperation.
In an effort to engage as many countries as feasible, Zelenskyy stated he will present his 10-point peace formula.
“Another priority is the protection of the Muslim community in Ukraine,” stated Zelenskyy. Crimea was the first territory to be occupied by Russia, and the majority of those subjected to repression in occupied Crimea are Muslims.
Mustafa Dzhemilev, the commander of the Crimean Tatars, accompanied Zelenskyy on his visit.
According to Oleksiy Danilov, the secretary of Ukraine’s National Security and Defence, Zelenskyy will later travel to a Group of Seven summits in Japan, where the leaders of the world’s seven most powerful democracies intend to increase punishment for Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
“Our support for Ukraine will not waver,” the G7 leaders said in a statement released after closed-door meetings, vowing “to stand together against Russia’s illegal, unjustifiable, and unprovoked war of aggression against Ukraine.”
This week he returned from a three-day journey to Italy, the Vatican, Germany, France, and the United Kingdom, during which he attempted to secure additional weapons supplies.
Since the beginning of the conflict, he has also visited Washington, but he has not travelled so far east.
A French government aircraft is transporting Zelenskyy to the Arab League Summit in Saudi Arabia and will then transport him to the G7 summit.
