Zelenksy to attend upcoming Arab League Summit: dpa
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According to German news outlet Deutsche Presse-Agentur, the Ukrainian president has been invited by the Saudi King to attend the Arab League's summit in Jeddah on Friday.
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Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskiy gestures during a joint news conference with European Council President Charles Michel after their meeting, as Russia's attack on Ukraine continues, in Kyiv, Ukraine April 20, 2022. (Reuters)
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky was invited by Saudi Arabia's King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud to attend the Arab League Summit, German news outlet dpa reported on Tuesday, citing diplomatic sources in Riyadh.
The summit is scheduled to be held in Saudi's Jeddah on Friday, where Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman is reportedly expected to discuss with Zelenksy the Ukrainian conflict and means to end the war, mainly through dialogue between Moscow and Kiev.
Riyadh has offered several times to mediate between both countries. Last year Saudi Arabia said it played a role in Russia's release of 10 war prisoners consisting of 10 foreign fighters.
This summit will witness Syria's return as a full member, 12 years after its membership was suspended following the start of the war on the Arab country.
Syrian Foreign Minister Faisal Mekdad confirmed on Wednesday that President Bashar Al-Assad will be attending the Arab League summit.
Mekdad arrived in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia on Monday, heading a Syrian delegation that will participate in meetings in preparation for Friday's event.
Baerbock chimes in
German Foreign Minister Analina Baerbock considered on Wednesday that Zelensky's invitation to attend the summit is of great significance, and confirms that the "brutal Russian war" on Ukraine has affected the Arab world as well.
Baerbock made her statement while on a visit to Doha, where she met with Qatari Prime Minister Khalifa bin Hamad Al Thani and Qatari Foreign Minster Mohammad bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani.
According to the Germain top diplomat, Zelensky will reaffirm during the summit that the war "can end tomorrow If the aggressor withdraws his forces."
The politician, who belongs to the Green Party, added that she understood this call as the "brutal Russian war" on Ukraine had left its effects on the Arab world as well.
The top diplomat said the invitation is "an important signal of the great desire for peace that exists in almost everyone in the world."
