Saudi Arabia’s foreign minister and his Russian counterpart discussed the situation in Ukraine as well as mediation efforts to end the crisis, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Monday…reports Asian Lite News
In a call to Sergey Lavrov, Prince Faisal bin Farhan reaffirmed the Saudi’s support for a peaceful resolution through negotiations. The top Saudi diplomat also discussed achieving this through the mediation proposed by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
After calls with the leaders of Ukraine and Russia on March 3, the crown prince said Saudi Arabia was ready to exert all efforts to mediate between parties in the conflict in Ukraine.
Realising the global economic fallout from the Ukraine conflict, top leaders of the world are keeping the Middle East heavyweights busy these days to ensure the stabilisation of oil markets and minimise the damage.
Last week, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson travelled to the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia to “warn of far-reaching consequences” and “galvanise global action” on the crisis in Ukraine.
Meanwhile, the UN General Assembly (UNGA) will vote on Wednesday on a draft resolution on Ukraine, the second such resolution since Russia began its invasion of Kiev on February 24, a spokesperson said.
The 11th Emergency Special Session of the General Assembly will be held after a letter requesting the resumption was received by UNGA President Abdulla Shahid, Xinhua news agency quoted his spokesperson Paulina Kubiak as saying to reporters.
“A draft resolution sponsored by Ukraine and other member states has been submitted and is being processed,” she said.
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According to diplomatic sources, the new UNGA draft resolution focuses on the humanitarian situation, calling for the protection of civilians, medical personnel, aid workers, journalists, hospitals, and other civilian infrastructure.
Earlier this month, the UNGA had voted overwhelmingly to censure Russia’s ongoing invasion of Ukraine.
The 141 votes cast on March 2 were 41 more than the 100 votes that a similar resolution on Russia’s takeover of Crimea in 2014.