Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on for him way to attend the G-7 Summit in Japan, made Sudden stop in Kingdom of Saudi Arabia on Friday.
He was set To appear at the annual summit of the Arab League, which will also feature Russia’s close ally, Bashar al-Assad, after years of are excluded.
The Saudi TV channel Al-Ekhbariya showed video clips of Zelenskyyy reception at the airport in the coast city of grandmother.
He had traveled to Jeddah on a French plane off From Poland, according to the Saudi-owned Al Arabiya TV.
Zelensky confirmed the visit, tweeting: “A start first- Visit the kingdom forever of Saudi Arabia to strengthen bilateral relations and relations with Ukraine with Arabi world. “
He wrote that he would discuss “political prisoners in Return of Crimea and temporarily occupied lands of Our people and peace formula (and) energy cooperation.”
Saudi Arabia plays an important role role We are ready to transfer our cooperation to new level,” Zelensky continued.
Riyadh has repeatedly offered to mediate between Russia and Ukraine. last yearShe claimed it helped with Release of prisoners of war.
The kingdom and its Gulf neighbors have so far resisted Western pressure to cut ties with Russia since moscow launched a file full-size invasion of Ukraine last year.
On its way to Japan
Zelenskyy is also balanced for a first post-invasion Journey to the Asia-Pacific region, the meeting of allies at the G7 summit in Hiroshima as a block hit Russia war machine” with More penalties.
The previously unannounced visit was revealed by officials on Friday — a rare long-haul trip for President war time and opportunity to gather with leaders of Seven wealthy democracies fund his country’s stoicism defense.
The visit comes at a potentially pivotal time in The 15-month-old conflict, while Ukrainian forces are pressing back against Russian gains in Bakhmut are ready for the long-awaited spring offensive.
Zelensky’s top security aide, Oleksiy Danilov, said the Ukrainian leader would go “wherever the country needs it, in which part of the worldincluding the city of Hiroshima, A city synonym with the horror of war.
“There are very important matters that will be decided there, and therefore the presence, the physical presence of “Our president is absolutely necessary to defend our interests,” Danilov said.
informed source in Hiroshima told AFP that Zelensky was now expected to appear in person, despite the timing of for him arrival remained unclear.
Shuttle diplomacy
flight will also give President of Ukraine Chance to win over powerful Non-aligned countries, including Brazil and India, whose leaders also They were invited.
Zelensky recently embarked on European tour, he pleads for military support like Modern United States-made fighter jets, as well tougher Penalties on Russia.
“There is a host of The things that Ukraine will continue to do need advanced artillery air defense said Ian Lesser of Foreign German Marshall Fund policy Think tank.
Transfer insurance of American F-16 fighter jets, of which there are very large numbers in Europe that can be sent to Ukraine “will also It is likely to be on Agenda, is added.
eve of His visit to Japan, Group of 7 (G-7)) states agreed on new Sanctions they said would starve Russia of p-7 technologyindustrial equipment and services that support its war machine. “
Group of Seven statement also Undertook to “restrict trade in And use of Diamonds mined, processed or produced in Russia “incl with the use of tracing technologies.
the trade estimated to be worth About 4-5 billion dollars a year for Russia.
“Russian diamonds are not forever,” said EU Council President Charles Michel. “We will tie trade. “
Belgium, a member of the European Union, is among the largest wholesale buyers of Russian diamonds, along with India and the United Arab Emirates.
The United States is the main end-market for finished product.
the gathering also They said they would step up Fraud prevention efforts of The current sanctions regime,” including targeting the carrier entities material straight ahead.”
New penalties
Earlier Friday, the United States and other members announced Their own new Sizes, with a senior American administration official Saying another 70 entities from Russia and ‘other countries”will be set on United State blacklist.
“And there will be an upswing of 300 new Penalties against individuals, entities, ships and aircraft” official He said.
London, meanwhile, took Aim for copper, aluminum, and Russian nickel — as well as diamonds.
Moscow invasion of Ukraine 15 months ago made waves of Sanctions that helped plunge Russia into recession and drained the Kremlin of war wealth.
Russians economy Contracted 2.1% in 2022, a trend that continued early in this year.
But Moscow quickly adapted, introducing strict capital controlstransformation trade for allies like China reports are borrowing techniques to evade severe penalties countries like Cuba, Iran and North Korea.
The International Monetary Fund predicted a modest economic recovery of 0.7%. in 2023.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on for him way to attend the G-7 Summit in Japan, made Sudden stop in Kingdom of Saudi Arabia on Friday.
He was set To appear at the annual summit of the Arab League, which will also feature Russia’s close ally, Bashar al-Assad, after years of are excluded.
The Saudi TV channel Al-Ekhbariya showed video clips of Zelenskyyy reception at the airport in the coast city of grandmother.
He had traveled to Jeddah on a French plane off From Poland, according to the Saudi-owned Al Arabiya TV.
Zelensky confirmed the visit, tweeting: “A start first- Visit the kingdom forever of Saudi Arabia to strengthen bilateral relations and relations with Ukraine with Arabi world. “
He wrote that he would discuss “political prisoners in Return of Crimea and temporarily occupied lands of Our people and peace formula (and) energy cooperation.”
Saudi Arabia plays an important role role We are ready to transfer our cooperation to new level,” Zelensky continued.
Riyadh has repeatedly offered to mediate between Russia and Ukraine. last yearShe claimed it helped with Release of prisoners of war.
The kingdom and its Gulf neighbors have so far resisted Western pressure to cut ties with Russia since moscow launched a file full-size invasion of Ukraine last year.
On its way to Japan
Zelenskyy is also balanced for a first post-invasion Journey to the Asia-Pacific region, the meeting of allies at the G7 summit in Hiroshima as a block hit Russia war machine” with More penalties.
The previously unannounced visit was revealed by officials on Friday — a rare long-haul trip for President war time and opportunity to gather with leaders of Seven wealthy democracies fund his country’s stoicism defense.
The visit comes at a potentially pivotal time in The 15-month-old conflict, while Ukrainian forces are pressing back against Russian gains in Bakhmut are ready for the long-awaited spring offensive.
Zelensky’s top security aide, Oleksiy Danilov, said the Ukrainian leader would go “wherever the country needs it, in which part of the worldincluding the city of Hiroshima, A city synonym with the horror of war.
“There are very important matters that will be decided there, and therefore the presence, the physical presence of “Our president is absolutely necessary to defend our interests,” Danilov said.
informed source in Hiroshima told AFP that Zelensky was now expected to appear in person, despite the timing of for him arrival remained unclear.
Shuttle diplomacy
flight will also give President of Ukraine Chance to win over powerful Non-aligned countries, including Brazil and India, whose leaders also They were invited.
Zelensky recently embarked on European tour, he pleads for military support like Modern United States-made fighter jets, as well tougher Penalties on Russia.
“There is a host of The things that Ukraine will continue to do need advanced artillery air defense said Ian Lesser of Foreign German Marshall Fund policy Think tank.
Transfer insurance of American F-16 fighter jets, of which there are very large numbers in Europe that can be sent to Ukraine “will also It is likely to be on Agenda, is added.
eve of His visit to Japan, Group of 7 (G-7)) states agreed on new Sanctions they said would starve Russia of p-7 technologyindustrial equipment and services that support its war machine. “
Group of Seven statement also Undertook to “restrict trade in And use of Diamonds mined, processed or produced in Russia “incl with the use of tracing technologies.
the trade estimated to be worth About 4-5 billion dollars a year for Russia.
“Russian diamonds are not forever,” said EU Council President Charles Michel. “We will tie trade. “
Belgium, a member of the European Union, is among the largest wholesale buyers of Russian diamonds, along with India and the United Arab Emirates.
The United States is the main end-market for finished product.
the gathering also They said they would step up Fraud prevention efforts of The current sanctions regime,” including targeting the carrier entities material straight ahead.”
New penalties
Earlier Friday, the United States and other members announced Their own new Sizes, with a senior American administration official Saying another 70 entities from Russia and ‘other countries”will be set on United State blacklist.
“And there will be an upswing of 300 new Penalties against individuals, entities, ships and aircraft” official He said.
London, meanwhile, took Aim for copper, aluminum, and Russian nickel — as well as diamonds.
Moscow invasion of Ukraine 15 months ago made waves of Sanctions that helped plunge Russia into recession and drained the Kremlin of war wealth.
Russians economy Contracted 2.1% in 2022, a trend that continued early in this year.
But Moscow quickly adapted, introducing strict capital controlstransformation trade for allies like China reports are borrowing techniques to evade severe penalties countries like Cuba, Iran and North Korea.
The International Monetary Fund predicted a modest economic recovery of 0.7%. in 2023.