Riyadh: According to Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan, Riyadh and other Arab nations are taking an unbiased stance in the conflict between Ukraine and Russia and want to keep good relations with both sides. Vladimir Zelensky, the president of Ukraine, attended the Arab League summit, which was held in Jeddah on Friday. He made the statement following the summit's conclusion. 

The diplomat stated, "Since the beginning of the crisis, the Arab countries have taken a position of positive neutrality, opening dialogue with the Russian and Ukrainian parties, while ensuring Arab relations with the two sides," adding, "we welcome hearing the viewpoints of both sides of [the] Russia-Ukrainian conflict."

Without naming any names, the Ukrainian leader insisted that some Arab countries have been ignoring Moscow's "illegal annexations.”

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Saudi Arabia has declined to participate in the sanctions imposed by the West against Moscow, including measures to limit its energy exports. The US has criticised Riyadh for continuing its partnership with Russia through OPEC+, a cartel of oil exporters. 

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With a commitment to continue its trade and diplomatic relations with both Russia and Ukraine, Riyadh has expressed the hope that it can mediate a settlement to the conflict.

Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman of Saudi Arabia mentioned "the kingdom's readiness to continue mediating efforts between Russia and Ukraine" after meeting Zelensky earlier on Friday. According to him, he would "support all international efforts aimed at resolving the crisis politically in a way that contributes to achieving security."

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In 2022, the Saudi foreign minister travelled to Kiev and Moscow for high-level negotiations. Later, it was revealed that bin Salman participated in the negotiations last September for a prisoner swap between the two sides, which he referred to as a "humanitarian breakthrough."