By Ahmed Asmar
ANKARA (AA) – Saudi Arabia and Ukraine agreed on Tuesday to promote their trade exchange volume and expand investment partnerships in priority sectors.
This came in a joint statement issued at the end of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s visit to the kingdom during which he met with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in the Saudi city of Jeddah.
According to the statement, both sides affirmed the importance of joint efforts to enhance trade volume between the two countries, which grew by 9% in 2024.
They also reviewed available opportunities and joint projects in both countries, including projects under Saudi Vision 2030 and Ukraine's reconstruction programs.
Saudi Arabia and Ukraine also welcomed the re-establishment of the Saudi-Ukrainian Joint Business Council this year
Discussions between the two countries also dwelt on regional and international issues of mutual interest, including efforts to achieve a lasting, just, and comprehensive peace in Ukraine.
Saudi Arabia expressed hope that these efforts would succeed in ending the crisis in Ukraine in accordance with international law and the United Nations Charter, the statement said.
Saudi Arabia is hosting talks between the US and Ukraine aimed at resolving the Russian-Ukrainian crisis.
The kingdom previously hosted a meeting on Feb. 18 between US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov to explore peace prospects for Ukraine.
On Feb. 24, 2022, Russia launched a military offensive against Ukraine. Moscow demands Kyiv abandon aspirations to join Western military alliances as a condition for peace, a stance Ukraine views as “interference” in its sovereignty.