Crown Prince Mohammed and Zelensky said in their meeting they will boost investment relations between the two countries in sectors including energy, food industries and infrastructure [GETTY]
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky discussed efforts to achieve “sustainable fair, and comprehensive” peace in Ukraine, according to a joint statement published on Tuesday by the Saudi state news agency, SPA.
Zelensky and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio have been visiting the kingdom since Monday, and Ukrainian and US officials are set to meet for crunch talks in Saudi Arabia on Tuesday to find a path towards ending the war.
Crown Prince Mohammed and Zelensky said in their meeting that they would boost investment relations between the two countries in sectors including energy, food industries, and infrastructure, and the joint statement added.
“The two sides said they are looking forward to exploring joint cooperation opportunities in the areas of oil, gas, their derivatives, and petrochemicals,” according to the joint statement.
Rubio discussed promoting a stable government in Syria, Houthi threats in Yemen, and reconstructing Gaza with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the State Department said in a readout of their meeting on Monday.
Zelensky and chief US diplomat Marco Rubio arrived in Saudi Arabia ahead of ceasefire talks on Monday as Ukraine’s proposal for a partial truce raised hopes of a breakthrough after three years of war.
Zelensky, embroiled in a public row with US President Donald Trump last month, touched down in Jeddah as Rubio cautiously welcomed the idea of an aerial and naval ceasefire.
“We do have a proposal for a ceasefire in the sky and ceasefire at sea,” a Ukrainian official told AFP on Monday, speaking on condition of anonymity.
“Because these are the ceasefire options that are easy to install and to monitor, and it’s possible to start with them.”
Rubio indicated the idea had promise.
“I’m not saying that alone is enough, but it’s the kind of concession you would need to see to end the conflict,” he told reporters. “You’re not going to get a ceasefire and an end to this war unless both sides make concessions.”
Rubio added that he hoped to “resolve” the suspension of military aid threatening to hamper Ukraine’s campaign.
“I think the notion of the pause in aid, broadly, is something I hope we can resolve. Obviously, what happens tomorrow will be key to that,” he said.
(Reuters)
