Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman and Russian President Vladimir Putin discussed Ukraine crisis developments during a phone call. The dialogue aligns with Saudi Arabia’s intensified efforts to mediate a resolution to the Russia-Ukraine war.
According to the Saudi Press Agency (SPA), the Crown Prince emphasized the Kingdom’s commitment to facilitating dialogue for a political solution. He stressed Saudi Arabia’s readiness to leverage diplomatic channels to de-escalate tensions.
Putin Praises Saudi Diplomacy
President Putin expressed gratitude for Saudi Arabia’s constructive role in addressing the crisis. Both leaders also explored opportunities to strengthen bilateral cooperation across economic and strategic sectors.
The call followed US-Ukraine negotiations in Jeddah this week, where Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba discussed ceasefire proposals. Saudi state media later reported Ukraine’s tentative agreement to a month-long truce, pending further talks.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who met Crown Prince Mohammed earlier this week, voiced doubts about Russia’s sincerity. Conversely, Putin signaled openness to ceasefire terms but insisted they address “root causes” of the conflict, including Ukraine’s NATO aspirations.
Russia launched its military offensive in Ukraine on February 24, 2022, demanding Kyiv abandon NATO membership plans. Ukraine condemns this as a violation of sovereignty, complicating peace prospects.
As global powers watch closely, the Kingdom’s proactive diplomacy underscores its growing influence in shaping geopolitical outcomes. Observers anticipate further multilateral talks to bridge gaps between Moscow and Kyiv.
