Zelensky meets with S. Arabian FM in Kiev

MOSCOW. Feb 27 (Interfax) - Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky met with Saudi Arabian Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud in Kiev.

"I held a meeting with Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud. This is the first official visit of the head of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to Ukraine since the establishment of diplomatic relations. I expect that it will provide a new impetus to further intensification of our mutually beneficial dialogue," Zelensky wrote on his social account on Sunday, as quoted by Ukrainian media.

A statement on the Ukrainian presidential website says the parties highlighted the importance of Saudi Arabia's support for Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity, particularly on the United Nations platform, and attached special significance to implementing the peace formula proposed by Ukraine.

The Saudi minister said the two discussed Saudi Arabia's mediation in releasing prisoners of war. "We hope to continue these efforts," he said referring to a prisoner exchange between Ukraine and Russia via Saudi Arabia's mediation in the fall of 2022.

The Saudi minister said he passed a greeting message from the king of Saudi Arabia to Zelensky at the meeting.

Ukrainian media also reported referring to head of the Ukrainian presidential office Andriy Yermak's social media post that Ukraine and Saudi Arabia signed documents in Kiev on Sunday, under which Ukraine would receive a $400 million aid package, including $100 million in humanitarian aid and $300 million in oil products.