Ukrainian President arrives in Saudi Arabia ahead of summit

In recent months, Saudi Arabia has restored diplomatic ties with Iran, is ending the kingdom’s years-long war against Iran-backed rebels in Yemen and led the push for Syria’s return to the Arab League.

President Volodymyr Zelensky is greeted by Prince Badr Bin Sultan, deputy governor of Mecca (Saudi Press Agency via AP)

Ukraine’s president Volodymyr Zelenskyy has arrived in Saudi Arabia ahead of an Arab summit, where he is set to address leaders who have remained largely neutral on Russia’s invasion of his country – including many who maintain warm ties with Moscow.

Among those in attendance is Syrian President Bashar Assad, who has been welcomed back into the Arab fold 12 years after Syria was suspended at the start of its civil war.