Ukraine's Zelenskiy, in Saudi Arabia, discusses war with crown prince

The Saudi state news agency said the crown prince, during the talks, "affirmed the Kingdom's keenness and support for all international endeavours and efforts aimed at resolving the Ukrainian-Russian crisis, reaching peace, and continuing efforts to contribute in alleviating the resulting humanitarian impacts". Ukraine has held several multilateral meetings to discuss the peace formula with representatives from dozens of countries.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy held talks in Saudi Arabia on Tuesday with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman devoted to the course of Russia's two-year-old invasion of Ukraine.

Zelenskiy, writing on the Telegram messaging app, said the primary topics of discussion would be Kyiv's Peace Formula framework for ending the invasion, as well as the return of captives and deported people. The Saudi state news agency said the crown prince, during the talks, "affirmed the Kingdom's keenness and support for all international endeavours and efforts aimed at resolving the Ukrainian-Russian crisis, reaching peace, and continuing efforts to contribute in alleviating the resulting humanitarian impacts".

Ukraine has held several multilateral meetings to discuss the peace formula with representatives from dozens of countries. The plan provides for the withdrawal of Russian troops, recognition of Ukraine's 1991 post-Soviet borders, and provisions for bringing Russia to account for its actions. Kyiv hopes to hold a Peace Summit in Switzerland involving the leaders of those nations this spring.

"Now we are very close to holding the first Peace Summit and we count on continued active support from Saudi Arabia," Zelenskiy wrote in his statement. Saudi Arabia has previously acted as a mediator in prisoner swaps between Ukraine and Russia. Zelenskiy said he was sure his meeting on Tuesday would "bring results" in this regard.

One of the preparatory meetings for the proposed Peace Summit took place in the Saudi city of Jeddah last August.