Russia’s sanctioned interior minister visits Saudi Arabia just after trip by Ukraine’s Zelenskyy
The Toronto Star
23-05-23 05:18
Russian Interior Minister Vladimir Kolokoltsev visited Saudi Arabia on Tuesday to hold talks with his counterpart Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud. The visit follows Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's address to an Arab League summit in Saudi Arabia, highlighting the kingdom's and Gulf Arab states' relations with Moscow despite the ongoing Ukraine war. Kolokoltsev has been sanctioned by the US and other countries since 2018 over Russia's activity in Ukraine and Syria. Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has attempted to position the kingdom as a potential mediator between Ukraine and Russia to end the conflict. Since the start of the war, Saudi Arabia has purchased Russian diesel fuel at a discount due to Western sanctions against Russia.