Saudi Foreign Minister visits Kiev for the first time in 30 years

For the first time since the establishment of diplomatic relations between Saudi Arabia and Ukraine (30 years ago), the Foreign Minister of Saudi Arabia visited Kiev.The Ukrainian President’s office released a video of his meeting with Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud on Sunday.Zelenskyyy said he expected the meeting to “give new impetus to further intensify our mutually beneficial dialogue.”Saudi Arabia adheres to a neutral course in the conflict between Ukraine and Russia. Last year, she brokered a prisoner swap in which two US citizens and five UK citizens were released.
Head of Ukrainian President’s Office Andrii Yermak in Telegram called the meeting a success.”Ukraine will receive real help from Saudi Arabia,” he said. “The president’s office signed two documents formalizing a $400 million aid package for Ukraine: $100 million in humanitarian aid and $300 million in petroleum products.”Referring to the use of Iranian drones by Houthi forces in Yemen, Yermak said Ukraine and Saudi Arabia share common challenges and experience in dealing with them.”Since last year, the same Iranian drones have been at the disposal of Russian terrorists attacking Ukraine’s energy infrastructure,” he said.