KYIV — Saudi Arabia and Ukraine signed an agreement and a memorandum of understanding (MoU) for the provision of humanitarian aid, amounting to $400 million, to the war-stricken European country. This is in implementation of the pledge made by Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed Bin Salman during his phone call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in October 2022 with regard to the provision of an additional humanitarian aid package to Ukraine. The ceremony of signing the pacts was held on the occasion of the visit of Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal Bin Farhan to Ukraine and his meeting with Zelenskyy. Prince Faisal Bin Farhan and Director of the Office of the Ukrainian President Andriy Yermak attended the signing ceremony of the agreement and MoU between the Kingdom and Ukraine, with a value of up to $400 million. The agreement includes a joint cooperation program to provide humanitarian aid from the Kingdom to Ukraine, amounting to $100 million. The agreement was signed by Advisor at the Royal Court and General Supervisor of the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSRelief) Dr. Abdullah Al-Rabeeah and Deputy Prime Minister for Restoration of Ukraine – Minister for Communities, Territories and Infrastructure Development of Ukraine Oleksandr Kubrakov. The MoU also includes financing oil derivatives worth $300 million as a grant from the government of Saudi Arabia through the Saudi Fund for Development in favor of Ukraine. Earlier, Zelensky received Prince Faisal and his accompanying delegation at the presidential residence in the capital city. At the outset of the meeting, Prince Faisal conveyed the greetings of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman and the Crown Prince to the president, the government, and the people of Ukraine. Zelensky conveyed his greetings and appreciation to King Salman, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, and the government and people of Saudi Arabia. During the reception, they reviewed the bilateral relations between the two countries and ways to further promote them. They also discussed a number of regional and international issues of common concern. The foreign minister reiterated the Kingdom's keenness and support for all international efforts aimed at resolving the Ukrainian-Russian crisis politically, and the continuation of its efforts to contribute to mitigating the humanitarian effects resulting from it. The reception was attended by Dr. Abdullah Al-Rabeeah, CEO of the Saudi Fund for Development Sultan Al-Murshed, Saudi Ambassador to Ukraine Muhammad Al-Jabreen, and Director General of the Office of the Foreign Minister Abdul Rahman Al-Daoud. Prince Faisal also met with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Dmytro Kuleba. During the meeting, they discussed the latest developments in the Ukraine crisis. The Saudi foreign minister emphasized the Kingdom's support for everything that contributes to de-escalation, protection of civilians, serious pursuit of negotiated political solutions, and support for all international efforts aimed at resolving the political crisis. The signing of the agreement and the MoU reflects the keenness of the Saudi government to support Ukraine and its friendly people in facing the social and economic challenges that the country is going through and to contribute to mitigating the resulting humanitarian impacts.
