Zelensky in Saudi Arabia for Peace Talks

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said that he had arrived in Saudi Arabia to promote his peace plan and discuss potential prisoners of war exchanges.

Saudi Arabia maintains ties with both Moscow and Kyiv and has mediated between the two warring sides before, including a deal in September 2022 that freed over 200 captive Ukrainians.

"The kingdom's leadership has already contributed to the release of our people. I am confident this meeting will also yield results," Zelensky said.

"We will also discuss promising areas of economic cooperation and Saudi Arabia's involvement in Ukraine's reconstruction," Zelensky added.

He said the two sides would also hold dialogue on Ukraine's "Peace Formula", which calls for the full withdrawal of Russian troops from Ukrainian territory.

Saudi Arabia hosted talks on the Ukraine war last year in a bid to flex its diplomatic muscle, bringing together representatives from nearly 40 countries, but not Russia.

Ukraine accused Russia of waging a large-scale "disinformation" campaign to divide its Western allies and sow panic among its population.

Kyiv has become increasingly frustrated with hold-ups to Western aid in recent months, warning it has lost ground to Russia due to ammunition shortages.

"The international goal of the Russians is to reduce support for our country from the pro-Ukrainian coalition in the world," Ukraine's intelligence service said.

It alleged Russia was spreading fake information online in a bid to disrupt Ukraine's mobilization drive, question Kyiv's ability to win and promote the idea the West was "fatigued".

It said Russia had budgeted $1.5 billion for its disinformation campaign, including almost $250 million spent on "anti-Ukrainian sentiment".